'Nepal Landslide may have triggered flash flooding in Budhi Gandaki'
Photo: Courtesy, Kathmandu Post.
A landslide that may have blocked a tributary is a possible cause of flash flooding in the Budhi Gandaki river, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology’s Flood Forecasting Section said on Sunday.
Binod Parajuli, a hydrologist at the section, said satellite images showed a large landslide near Chumchet in Chumnubri Rural Municipality, Gorkha district. The landslide is believed to have occurred on Saturday. “We are examining satellite images. A large landslide is visible around Chumchet. It appears to have occurred yesterday. The flooding may have been triggered when a blocked tributary of the Budhi Gandaki suddenly released water,” Parajuli told Kantipur.
Residents have suggested that an avalanche may have occurred on Mount Shringi, but this has not been confirmed. Parajuli said a landslide had occurred near the mountain, adding that all explanations remained preliminary. Authorities suspect that a landslide blocked the Ungeling tributary of the Budhi Gandaki.
The river’s flow continues to fluctuate, the section said. With water levels above the danger threshold and continuing to rise and fall, the Trishuli river corridor as far downstream as Benighat remains at very high risk of flooding.
Authorities have also urged people living along the riverbanks around Mugling and farther downstream in Chitwan and Nawalparasi districts to remain alert.
Deccan Chronicle adds:
Nepal's Home Minister Sudan Gurung said the flood had also swept away the bridge linking Nyakchet and Philim bazaar in Chumnubri-3. With the river continuing to rise, helicopters had been deployed for rescue operations, relief distribution and evacuations, he said. Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and local authorities were mobilised to carry out rescue and relief operations. "The flood came early in the morning, and we could not even take out our belongings," Ram Kumar said. "Everyone fled as soon as we heard the flood was coming." The full extent of the damage was not yet known, he said.
Residents in riverside settlements, including Chumling and Lokpa, fled their homes after hearing loud roaring sounds from the streams from around 4am. Tourists staying at local hotels also fled, residents said. Sherap Gurung, a resident of Lokpa, said the sound suggested that the water flow had repeatedly stopped and resumed. "Because it was dark, we could not tell whether the stream had been blocked or a landslide had occurred. It had not rained either," he said. Authorities were using loudspeakers to warn people living along the river and urge them to move to safer locations.
(Sources: Kathmandu Post, Deccan Chronicle)
