A new devastating flood caused by the bursting of a natural dam has occurred in central Nepal, in Chumnubri village about 60 km from the capital Kathmandu. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
According to local authorities, two suspension bridges and around ten houses were swept away, and a local hydropower plant was damaged. No deaths or injuries have been reported, and five people are missing.
How the flood happened
A mountain mass movement (a "dry landslide") blocked the channel of the Budhi Gandaki River in a narrow gorge. The accumulated water burst through this natural dam under enormous pressure, and a powerful flood rushed downstream. In just two hours, the river level at one section jumped from 2 to 8.5 metres.
Rescue operation
The army and police are evacuating people from dangerous zones by helicopter, and about 50 local residents have already been airlifted out. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority declared a red alert level for downstream areas.
Region still recovering from previous disaster
The situation is complicated by the fact that the region has still not recovered from the catastrophic flood in late August 2026 (caused by the collapse of the Langtang Lirung glacier), when more than 1,400 people died and thousands went missing.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that heavy rains caused floods and landslides in India and Nepal.