Kathmandu. A severe flood suddenly occurred in Chumanubri village of Gorkha district of Nepal on Sunday morning. 35 houses of Paiyu and Bagar villages were washed away due to flood in Budhi Gandaki river. Due to flood, there has been huge damage in many villages, while many motor bridges and suspension bridges have also been washed away.
The administration has appealed to the people living in the lower coastal areas of the river to be alert and go to safe places. Chief District Officer of Gorkha, Dharendra Kumar Mishra said that information about major flood was received at 4.35 am on Sunday morning. Preparations are being made to send a Nepali Army helicopter to take stock of the situation.
The motor bridge connecting Soti and Manbu of Arughat village municipality was washed away in the flood. According to the police, the old suspension bridge connecting Nyakchet and Sirdibas in Nyakchet of Chumanubri village has also been washed away.
The suspension bridge connecting Machikhola to Kerouja of Dharche village municipality and the concrete iron bridge located at Soti connecting Arughat village municipality and 3 were also washed away due to the flood.
Alert issued to people living on the river bank
According to Nima Lama, Chairman of Chumnubri Village Municipality, the flow of the river had stopped due to landslide in Chumke Khola located in the village municipality. After this there was a sudden flood. Flood Forecasting Division has issued an SMS alert to alert people. The National Disaster Management Authority has also advised people living on the river banks to exercise caution.
According to Lakshmi Gurud, vice president of Chumanubri village municipality, the flood has caused huge devastation in Dobhan, Ghattekhola, Jagat and Salleri villages.
People in many areas advised to go to safe places
The health emergency center has been activated after the sudden flood in Budhigandaki river. According to the Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene, preparations are being made to provide essential health services, emergency treatment and other medical help in the flood affected areas. The ministry has asked to contact helpline number 1115 in case of need of health related assistance.
Nepal's Home Minister Sudan Gurung has appealed to the people living on the banks of Budhi Gandaki river and in the lower coastal areas to immediately move to safe places. In his message released on Facebook, he has especially advised the residents of Sirdibas, Jagat, Salleri, Kholabesi, Machhakhola, Soti, Arkhet and Arughat to remain alert.
The Home Minister said that Nepal is once again facing severe floods. He expressed concern over the reports of the bridge connecting Nyakchet and Philim Bazaar located in Chumanubri village municipality of Gorkha, his constituency, being washed away and water entering some houses along with debris in Ghattekhola. He also told that the water level of the river is continuously increasing.
According to the Home Minister, immediately after the incident, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and local administration are engaged in relief and rescue. The process of deployment of helicopters in the affected area has also been started.
Danger of landslide in the world, 6 people airlifted
At the same time, Nepal's PM Balen Shah also said that after the flood in Budhi Gandaki river, a contingent of Nepali Army has been deployed through air and land routes for search and rescue operation. He said, '6 people have been airlifted from Jagat area, where there is a danger of landslide. The composite quick reaction team deployed in Kathmandu has also been deployed in the specified area through air transport.