बाढीमा पाँच जना बेपत्ता
Kathmandu, October 11.
Five people—two women and three men—have gone missing following a flood in the Budhi Gandaki River triggered by a massive landslide between Lokpa and Chumling in Chumanubri Rural Municipality-6, Gorkha. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the victims went missing while staying at a sheep shed in Ungilung, Chumchet (Chumanubri-6).
Disaster officials stated that the flood has caused extensive damage to houses, suspension and concrete bridges, electricity poles, and telephone towers across Gorkha. Around seven to eight houses were swept away near the under-construction Times Energy Pvt Ltd in Salleri, Dharche Rural Municipality-3.
Key Details of Damage and Rescue Operations:
- Infrastructure Damage: The old suspension bridge connecting Nyakchet to Sirdibas in Chumanubri-3 was washed away, along with another house, while floodwaters entered a third. A suspension bridge connecting Machhikhola to Keroja in Dharche-5 was also swept away. Furthermore, a section of the concrete bridge connecting Gorkha to Dhading at Naya Pul (Arughat-9) and the iron bridge at Soti connecting Arughat-2 and 3 were destroyed.
- Impact on Hydropower and Settlements: The flood washed away the main camp area and construction equipment of the 341 MW Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project. Twenty to 22 houses in the lower settlement of Machhikhola are at high risk, and 12 employees of Times Energy Pvt Ltd in Salleri have been safely relocated. Two telephone towers and 50 electricity poles were also damaged.
- Search and Rescue Deployment: A total of 437 security personnel from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force have been deployed to the affected areas. Four Nepal Army helicopters are actively participating in rescue operations, with 47 individuals already rescued and brought to safety.
- Early Warnings: Early warning SMS alerts were sent to residents in Gorkha, Dhading, and Benighat in Chitwan following reports of the flood. Additionally, notifications were dispatched to 221 responders across Gorkha, Dhading, Tanahun, Chitwan, and Nawalparasi (East and West) for mobilization.
Source: RSS / Unified Nepal
