Nepal orders evacuations as flash flood surges down the Budhi Gandaki River

Nepalese authorities ordered residents along the Budhi Gandaki River to move to higher ground on Sunday after a sudden muddy flood swept away homes and infrastructure in Gorkha district. Reuters reported that a dry landslide near Chumnubri village blocked the river before water surged downstream. Associated Press separately confirmed evacuations and damage along the waterway.

There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries. That early absence of casualties should not be treated as a final assessment: the affected mountain area is difficult to inspect, and officials had not established how many villages or structures were damaged. Government alerts prompted an evacuation in Arughat and warnings for other settlements toward the Trishuli River.

Nepal’s Flood Forecasting Division told residents and travellers to stay away from riverbanks and remain on higher ground until the danger passed. Radio Nepal carried the warning, while the national disaster authority worked to determine the flood’s cause and extent.

The event comes as Nepal continues recovery from a much larger August disaster near the Chinese border. Sunday’s flood is a separate incident; linking the two without evidence would be misleading. For affected communities, the priority remains evacuation, verified damage surveys and monitoring for another surge.