KATHMANDU: A massive landslide in Chumnubri rural municipality of Gorkha has triggered a flash flood in the Budhigandaki river, causing significant destruction. Five people, including two women and three men, are missing from a sheep shed in Ungilung, Chumnubri-6.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, a large landslide blocked the river between Lokpa and Chumling on Sunday morning. When the water broke through the blockage, it released a surge of debris and mud that damaged settlements, bridges, and infrastructure along the riverbanks. So far, 47 people have been rescued by helicopter, and 12 employees of Times Energy Pvt. Ltd. in Salleri have been moved to safety.

Four Nepal Army helicopters are involved in the rescue operation. A total of 437 security personnel, including 127 from the Nepal Army, 133 from the Nepal Police, and 177 from the Armed Police Force, are deployed at the site. Another 50 police personnel are on standby.

The flood destroyed several concrete and suspension bridges. In Salleri, Dharche-3, vehicles and 7-8 houses belonging to the under-construction Times Energy project were swept away. One house was destroyed in Nyakchet, and another was flooded. The main camp and construction equipment of the 341-megawatt Budhigandaki Hydropower Project were also damaged. In the lower Machhikhola settlement, 20 to 22 houses are at high risk, and 50 electricity poles and two telephone towers have collapsed.

A three-member team, including geologists and drone operators, has been deployed to investigate the cause of the incident. Due to the ongoing risk, the authority has advised residents living along the Budhigandaki and Trishuli rivers in Gorkha, Dhading, Tanahun, and Chitwan to move to safer locations.