Floods in central Nepal: five people missing, 45 houses destroyed

Natural disaster struck the central part of the country

A sudden flood occurred in the central regions of Nepal on Sunday, causing significant damage to infrastructure and housing stock. According to preliminary data, the natural disaster destroyed approximately 45 houses, and five residents are considered missing.

Cause of the disaster — river blocked by a landslide

Videos widely circulating on the internet show dark water mixed with building debris rushing rapidly over the hills in Gorkha district. Dharam Raj Upreti, head of the national agency for disaster management, explained the mechanism behind the catastrophe: «Нам відомо, що сухий зсув ґрунту заблокував річку, після чого вона прорвалася, що й спричинило повінь» (We know that a dry soil landslide blocked the river, after which it burst, which caused the flood).

Scale of destruction and evacuation

In addition to residential houses, the floods damaged four bridges and three hydroelectric power plants. At least 82 people were rescued from the affected areas, including nine foreigners.

As the water level in the Budhi Gandaki river continued to rise, four helicopters were deployed to carry out rescue and evacuation operations.