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Fresh floods in central Nepal sweep away homes and bridges
Overview
A major river flood has struck the central Gorkha district in Nepal, destroying houses, suspension bridges, and damaging a hydropower station. The army has rescued around 50 people, while five individuals remain missing with no casualties reported so far. The disaster coincides with the start of the Dashain festival, forcing families to flee their homes just months after catastrophic floods affected the region.
Key points
- Fresh floods on the Budhi Gandaki River in central Nepal swept away about a dozen houses, several suspension bridges, and parts of a hydroelectric project.
- The Nepalese army confirmed that around 50 people were rescued, five are missing, and no casualties have been reported yet.
- Water levels at one location surged rapidly from two metres to nearly 8.5 metres within a couple of hours.
- The cause of the flood remains unclear, with possibilities including a landslide blocking the river or an upstream ice avalanche.
- Save the Children is mobilising an emergency response team to assist affected families and children.