KATHMANDU: The Nepal Red Cross Society has stepped up its response to the flash flood in the Budhigandaki River, mobilizing volunteers and dispatching emergency relief supplies to affected areas.
On Sunday morning, a debris flow originating from Ungilung Stream near Chumling in Chumnubri Rural Municipality–6, Gorkha, blocked the Syar Khola. The blockage subsequently breached, triggering a flash flood in the Budhigandaki River.
According to a preliminary assessment by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, five people are missing. The flood damaged two concrete bridges, two suspension bridges, and three hydropower projects. It also destroyed four ritual fire pits (Hawan Kundas), 45 houses, and 34 animal sheds, while partially damaging another 27 houses. Three vehicles were also damaged.
A total of 82 people, including nine foreign nationals, were rescued promptly using four Nepali Army helicopters.
Rishi Khanal, general secretary of the Nepal Red Cross Society, said volunteers had been mobilized to support the immediate response, including damage assessments, and efforts were underway to deliver non-food relief supplies to affected communities.
“As soon as we received information about the flood, we mobilized volunteers from Gorkha, Dhading, Tanahun, Chitwan, and Nawalpur (East and West). They disseminated early warnings, and response operations are ongoing,” he said.
The Nepal Red Cross Society said the distribution of non-food relief items and other essential supplies to the affected areas had begun and was continuing. According to Khanal, tarpaulins, mattresses, blankets, and dignity kits were dispatched on Sunday in coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and the Nepali Army.
He added that two large tents suitable for use as field hospitals had also been sent to the affected areas.
“Expert personnel have already been deployed to the affected areas to assess the damage, and additional necessary non-food items are being dispatched today in coordination with the government. Volunteers are actively engaged in providing humanitarian assistance in the affected areas,” Khanal said.