Major highways in three districts across Gandaki and Karnali provinces have been obstructed by floods and landslides, with a road in Gorkha district fully closed, according to Nepal Police, Nepal’s national police force.Landslides and floods have affected various locations in Myagdi, Gorkha, and Surkhet districts. The road connecting Arughat in Gorkha to Dhading is completely blocked due to flooding in the Budhigandaki River, which damaged an iron bridge in the area.The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), a central government body for natural disaster risk reduction and management, has instructed high vigilance in the riverine areas of Gorkha, Dhading, Tanahu, and Chitwan districts.
Road closures and damage
The Beni-Jomsom road section in Raghuganga Rural Municipality-2, Baisari, Myagdi district, has been operating on one-way traffic since a landslide occurred on Ashoj 1 (BS) at 5:50 AM. The Department of Roads, a department under Nepal’s Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development, stated that this road is not expected to fully reopen for another week, according to a report on Ashoj 25 (BS).In Gorkha district, the road connecting Arughat Rural Municipality-2 and 3, and Nayapul area of Arughat Rural Municipality-1, has been completely blocked by floods since 5:30 AM on Monday. The Budhigandaki River’s floodwaters swept away the iron bridge connecting Arughat-2 and 3, and the permanent bridge connecting Gorkha-Arughat to Dhading at Nayapul, completely halting traffic.Similarly, the Karnali Highway in Barahatal Rural Municipality-7, Aulise, Surkhet district, has been operating on one-way traffic since a landslide on Kartik 1 (BS) at 5:45 AM.
Impact of Budhigandaki River floods
The Budhigandaki River, which flows through the northern part of Gorkha, experienced sudden flooding on Sunday, Ashoj 25 (BS). Preliminary studies indicate that a natural dam formed by a dry landslide in the Ungilung Khola (a tributary of Syarkhola) between Lokpa and Chumling in Chumanubri Rural Municipality-6 burst, causing a destructive flood of mud, stones, and wood to flow downstream.The Budhigandaki River floods have caused extensive damage in the Payu, Bagar, Jagat, and Salleri areas. Approximately 35 to 40 houses and temporary shelters were swept away in Payu and Bagar alone, and more than 100 houses were inundated. Reports of houses and vehicles being swept away in the Chumanubri area have been received, but the extent of the damage is yet to be confirmed. No official reports of human casualties have been received so far.
Response and future actions
Police are working to clear the obstructed roads and facilitate smooth traffic flow. The Department of Roads announced that efforts to install a new bridge in Arughat began on Sunday. The department claims that studies are underway to immediately install Bailey bridges where motorable bridges have been swept away by floods, and that damaged roads will be repaired and opened before Dashain Tika.The NDRRMA has also reported that there is no risk of floods or inundation in Madhesh Province.
