GORKHA: A sudden flash flood along the popular Manaslu Circuit Trek route swept away four houses and a vital pedestrian suspension bridge in Gorkha’s Chumanuwri Rural Municipality on Sunday morning, threatening major travel disruptions for trekkers and locals.
According to the District Police Office, the surge along the Therang Stream—flowing between Wards 2 and 4—inundated and washed away the homes of Namrungkanurbu Ongyal (Nurbu Tshering), Urgen Chhoyden, Lakpa Bhuti, and Dorje Gyaljen in Chumanuwri-4.
District Police Chief DSP Raj Kumar Shrestha confirmed that no human casualties occurred, as residents fled to higher ground after noticing the rapidly rising water.
With the primary suspension bridge destroyed, movement along the Manaslu Circuit Trek has come to a standstill.
Chumanuwri Rural Municipality Chairperson Nima Lama noted that locals are working on temporary pedestrian crossings to restore short-term access for stranded travelers and residents.
Assistant Chief District Officer Netra Prasad Sharma explained that the destruction was triggered when debris temporarily dammed the stream near its source before bursting downstream.
As the Therang Stream drains directly into the Budhigandaki River, authorities have issued high-alert warnings for communities living further down the river basin.
