Flash floods force evacuations along Budhi Gandaki River in Nepal

Residents living along Nepal’s Budhi Gandaki River in the north-central region fled their homes on Sunday after flash floods swept through the area, destroying houses and other structures.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority evacuated villagers and urged people in nearby areas to move to safer locations, warning them to remain vigilant until late Sunday.

No casualties had been reported immediately after the incident.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the sudden flooding in the Budhi Gandaki River, which flows into the Trishuli River, an important waterway near the capital, Kathmandu.

Videos circulating on social media showed floodwaters rushing through steep mountain valleys, carrying away houses and sheds. The extent of the damage and the number of villages affected remained unclear.

Social media posts suggested that a government warning had prompted evacuations in Arughat, a riverside town situated along a highway linking Kathmandu with other parts of the country.

Nepal is still reeling from devastating floods in August along its mountainous border with China, which left more than 1,400 people dead and thousands missing.

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s office announced on Monday that search and rescue operations for additional victims had ended. Authorities will now focus on recovery efforts, including rebuilding roads and bridges damaged by the floods, particularly in remote areas where disrupted infrastructure has hampered the delivery of relief supplies.

The government estimates that reconstruction will cost $4.77 billion. Nearly 33,000 people have been affected, while around 7,500 houses have been damaged or destroyed.