Budhigandaki flood: Ten people go missing; six bridges swept away

GORKHA: Ten people have gone missing after a flood struck Budhigandaki area of Gorkha early on Sunday, sweeping away six bridges and causing widespread damage.

Gorkha's Assistant Chief District Officer Netra Prasad Sharma informed that the flood washed away two motorable bridges — at Arughat and Tripurasundari, and the Soti-Manbu link — and four suspension footbridges. A Bailey bridge connecting wards 1 and 3 of Dharche Rural Municipality was also swept away. Footbridges between Machhikhola and Karauja, Thadobharyang and Jagat, and Ghattekhola and Philim were damaged.

Nearly 35 houses were washed away in Painyu and Bagar of Chumnuwri Rural Municipality‑3. Settlements at Jagat, Salleri, Dovan and Ghattekhola also suffered damage.

Rescue and assessment operations are underway, and local authorities are monitoring the situation.