Flash floods in Nepal have swept away hundreds of homes, with at least five people still missing after water levels surged dramatically along the Budhi Gandaki river. No fatalities have been reported so far.
Early warning prompts mass evacuation
Residents were evacuated from 5.30am as the major flash flood was triggered from 6.15am after water began flowing from a blocked section of the river in central Nepal. Two women and three men are currently unaccounted for, but the government said that an early warning allowed most people to reach higher ground before the flood struck.
Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said that so far 95 people, including nine foreigners, have been taken to nearby towns.
Water levels rise sharply
The water level at the Budhigandaki-Arughat flash flood gauging station rose from 2.28m (7ft6in) at 6.30am to 8.43m (27ft8in) by 8.40am. As of last night, five bridges, a school, 16 animal sheds, more than 200 homes and the construction sites of three hydropower plants have been destroyed, the Nepalese government confirmed.
Rescue helicopters and soldiers brought food and other relief materials to the area along the Budhi Gandaki river. The flood was caused by a landslide that initially blocked the river near the village of Chumchure.
Rescue efforts and regional impact
The flood area has trekking routes popular with hikers, and October is one of the busiest times for visitors. Food, tents, medicine and other essential supplies were brought to some areas by trucks, while army helicopters also delivered to remote mountain villages.
The Budhi Gandaki River merges into the Trishuli River and is a key waterway near the capital Kathmandu. Shocking social media footage shows an entire complex of buildings being swept away by water in seconds. Other videos show houses and sheds being swept away by the swollen river flowing between mountains. It was not immediately clear how many of the mountainous area's small villages were affected.
The crisis comes as Nepal was still recovering from another devastating flood that took place in the region of its border with China in August. More than 1,400 people died and thousands remained missing. The office of Nepal prime minister Balendra Shah announced an end to search and rescue operations on October 5 as recovery efforts shifted to focus on repairing infrastructure.
