Rescue helicopters race to flood-hit Nepal villages as 5 reported
missing
[October 12, 2026]
By BINAJ GURUBACHARYA
KATHMANDU,
Nepal (AP) — Rescuers from Nepal's military on Monday reached an area
hit by a flash flood the previous day.
Rescue helicopters and soldiers brought food and other relief materials
to the area along the Budhi Gandaki river in north central Nepal and
began evacuating residents and tourists from the area. |

In this photo provided by the National Trust for Nature Conservation-Manaslu
Conservation Area Project (NTNC-MCAP), Budhi Gandaki river in north
central Nepal is seen in flood, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (NTNC-MCAP via
AP) |
|
Five people have been reported missing and no fatalities have
been reported so far. The government said that an early warning
allowed most people to reach higher ground before the flood hit.
Sunday's flood was caused by a landslide that initially blocked
the river near the village of Chumchure. It damaged or destroyed
five bridges, the construction sites of three hydropower plants,
and dozens of houses and farms.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Authority said that so far 95 people, including nine foreigners,
have been taken to nearby towns.
The flood area has trekking routes popular with hikers, and
October is one of the most busiest times for visitors.
Trucks were taking food, tents, medicine and other supplies to
areas that are reachable by road, while army helicopters were
taking supplies to remote mountain villages.
The Budhi Gandaki River merges into the Trishuli River and is a
key waterway near the capital Kathmandu.
Videos on social media show houses and sheds being swept away by
the swollen river flowing between tall mountains. It was not
immediately clear how many of the mountainous area's small
villages were impacted.
Nepal is still recovering from a devastating flood that swept
through the mountainous Nepal-China border in August, leaving
more than 1,400 people dead and thousands more missing.
The office of Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah announced an
end to search and rescue operations on Oct. 5 as recovery
efforts shift to focus on repairing infrastructure.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
|