Nepal floods: 5 missing in Gorkha after Budhi Gandaki landslide dam burst
Synopsis
A landslide in Nepal's Gorkha district has dammed the Budhi Gandaki River, triggering a flood that has left five people missing and knocked out over 412 MW of hydropower capacity. With 47 already airlifted to safety and four Army helicopters still searching, the disaster underscores how Himalayan slope instability can simultaneously trigger a humanitarian emergency and a major energy infrastructure crisis.
Key Takeaways
Five people — two women and three men — are missing after a landslide-triggered flood in Gorkha district, Nepal on 11 October 2026 .
The landslide blocked the Budhi Gandaki River between Lokpa and Chumling areas of Chumnubri Rural Municipality.
47 people have been rescued by four Nepal Army helicopters deployed for search and rescue.
12 employees of Times Urja Pvt.
Ltd. , developer of the 341-MW Budhi Gandaki hydropower project , were evacuated.
Four hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 412.09 MW along the Budhi Gandaki and its tributaries have been damaged, according to IPPAN.
Early flood warnings were sent to residents across six districts and 221 emergency responders were activated.
Five people have gone missing after a catastrophic landslide blocked the Budhi Gandaki River in Nepal's Gorkha district, triggering a debris-laden flood that swept away bridges, houses, and infrastructure on Sunday, 11 October 2026. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) confirmed the incident and said rescue operations are under way.
What Happened
The landslide struck between the Lokpa and Chumling areas of Chumnubri Rural Municipality, damming the Budhi Gandaki River and unleashing a torrent of debris-laden floodwaters downstream. The NDRRMA said in a press statement that the five missing persons — two women and three men — were staying at a temporary shepherd settlement in the Ungilung area when they lost contact with authorities.
Rescue Operations and Evacuations
Four Nepal Army helicopters have been deployed for search and rescue, and 47 people have so far been airlifted to safety. Twelve employees of Times Urja Pvt. Ltd. — which is developing the 341-MW Budhi Gandaki hydropower project in the area — were evacuated to a secure location. Essential relief supplies are being transported to affected communities by both road and helicopter.
Early Warning System Activated
Upon receiving flood alerts at 6:00 am, the Flood Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology disseminated early warnings via SMS to residents in Gorkha and Dhading districts, and as far as Chainighat in Chitwan district. The NDRRMA also notified 221 emergency responders across Gorkha, Dhading, Tanahun, Chitwan, Nawalparasi East, and Nawalparasi West districts, instructing them to mobilise immediately.
Hydropower Projects Hit
The flood caused significant damage to energy infrastructure in the region. The Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal (IPPAN), which represents private-sector power developers, said four hydropower projects along the Budhi Gandaki River and its tributaries — with a combined installed capacity of 412.09 MW — had been affected. Floodwaters washed away several bridges, swept away homes, and damaged the construction camp of at least one hydropower project, according to the NDRRMA.
Broader Context
Gorkha district, located in Nepal's western hills, is no stranger to landslide-triggered floods during the monsoon season. The Budhi Gandaki basin has been the site of major hydropower investment, making the intersection of natural disaster and critical infrastructure a recurring concern for both the government and private developers. This comes amid Nepal's broader vulnerability to glacial lake outbursts and slope instability, risks that climate scientists say are intensifying across the Himalayan region.
Search operations are continuing, with authorities yet to confirm the status of the five missing persons.
Point of View
Yet the same geology that makes it energy-rich makes it disaster-prone. The activation of SMS early-warning systems across six districts shows institutional learning from past tragedies — but the fact that five people at a shepherd settlement were still unreachable points to the last-mile gap that repeatedly costs lives in remote Himalayan communities. As climate-linked slope instability worsens, Nepal will need infrastructure resilience standards that keep pace with its energy investment.
NationPress
11 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the floods in Nepal's Gorkha district?
A massive landslide between the Lokpa and Chumling areas of Chumnubri Rural Municipality blocked the Budhi Gandaki River, which then burst through the debris dam and triggered a destructive flood on 11 October 2026. The floodwaters swept away bridges, houses, and infrastructure downstream.
How many people are missing after the Gorkha floods?
Five people are missing — two women and three men — who were staying at a temporary shepherd settlement in the Ungilung area when contact was lost. Rescue operations involving four Nepal Army helicopters are ongoing.
How many people have been rescued so far?
47 people have been airlifted to safety by four Nepal Army helicopters deployed to the affected area. Additionally, 12 employees of Times Urja Pvt. Ltd., which is developing the 341-MW Budhi Gandaki hydropower project, were evacuated to a secure location.
Which hydropower projects were damaged in the Gorkha floods?
Four hydropower projects along the Budhi Gandaki River and its tributaries, with a combined installed capacity of 412.09 MW, were affected, according to the Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal (IPPAN). The construction camp of the 341-MW Budhi Gandaki project developed by Times Urja Pvt. Ltd. also sustained damage.
Which districts received flood warnings after the Gorkha landslide?
The Flood Forecasting Division sent early SMS warnings to residents in Gorkha, Dhading, and as far as Chainighat in Chitwan district. Emergency responders across six districts — Gorkha, Dhading, Tanahun, Chitwan, Nawalparasi East, and Nawalparasi West — were also alerted and instructed to mobilise immediately.
