Homes destroyed, at least five missing: impressive images of a new flash flood in Nepal

A bridge swept away by water, dozens of houses swept away and residents forced to evacuate. This Sunday, October 11, a flash flood of the Budhi Gandaki river hit several localities in the Gorkha district, in central Nepal, less than two months after violent deadly floods in the country.

According to the local newspaper The Kathmandu Post, between 35 and 40 houses were swept away in the rural communities of Chumnubri and Dharche, as well as bridges and infrastructure of a hydroelectric project. Images notably show a steel bridge deforming before collapsing under the pressure of muddy waters.

Helicopters were deployed to carry out rescue operations, deliver aid and evacuate residents. Nepalese police, armed police forces and local authorities were also mobilized, as the river level continued to rise.

The exact extent of the damage and the circumstances of the flood remain to be determined. Authorities say a landslide in Chumnubri village in Gorkha district, about 100 km west of Kathmandu, blocked the Budhi Gandaki River, causing flooding downstream.

So far, no casualties have been reported but five people are missing, the national disaster management agency said.