Kathmandu. Floods and landslides have again caused huge devastation in Nepal. In the flood that occurred around 4:30 am on Sunday in Gorkha district, 45 houses and six bridges were washed away in the Budhi Gandaki River. Hydroelectric projects have also been damaged. 10 are missing in the flood. The Army has evacuated 82 people including 9 foreigners to safe place. Officials have asked those living on the river banks to move to higher places.
Due to sudden inundation, the risk of flood has increased in Bihar also. The latest disaster has reminded of the devastating floods of Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers. Gorkha Chief District Officer Dharmendra Kumar Mishra said that information about the flood was received early on Sunday. The flood that has come again has caused huge devastation. According to the official, at present there is no information about any death or injury in this incident. According to the information, the flood came downstream from Chumanubri Rural Municipality-6 area and engulfed the settlements along the river bank.
According to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority spokesperson Shanti Mahat, a massive landslide occurred between Lokpa and Chumling in Chumnubri. This stopped the flow of the river and later the flow of blocked water caused floods. According to Nepali media report, due to flood in Budhi Gandak river, houses located on the river banks in Salleri, Payuka and Jagat were washed away. Many bridges have been washed away in the floods. Nepal Army wrote in the post, after the flooding of Budhi Gandak river, a contingent of Nepali Army has been deployed in search and rescue operations. This contingent evacuated 6 people safely.
Sudden flood after landslide stops flow
Chairman of Chumnubri Rural Municipality, Neema Lama, said that due to the landslide, the flow of a water stream named Chumke Khola was disrupted. After this the flow of water increased and a sudden flood situation arose. Due to this incident the danger to the people living around the river increased.
The administration fears that the strong current may cause damage to other areas situated on the banks of the river as well. The main camp and construction equipment of the 341 MW hydropower project were also washed away in the floods. Apart from this, communication and power supply infrastructure has been damaged due to the collapse of two telephone towers and 50 electric poles.
437 security personnel and four helicopters engaged in rescue operations
After the incident, search and rescue operations have been started in the affected areas. 437 security personnel and four helicopters of Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Forces have been deployed in relief and rescue operations. Apart from this, a team of 50 personnel of Nepal Police has been kept ready. So far 82 people have been evacuated from the affected areas and taken to safe places.
Warning to those living on the river banks
After the flood, the administration has asked people living in settlements located on the banks of Budhi Gandaki river to remain alert. People have been advised to avoid going close to the river and move to safe higher places. The priority of the administration is to evacuate the people living on the river banks and assess the situation in the affected areas.
Flood risk increased in Bihar also
The danger has increased in Bihar also. Officials said that this river later meets Trishuli. Then the water of both reaches Narayani river near Devghat. This river comes to Bihar in India by the name of Gandak and further joins Ganga. If the water flow increases, there may be floods in many districts of Bihar.