Homes and bridges swept away as fresh floods hit Nepal

Key Points:

• A major flood in Nepal's Budhi Gandaki River has destroyed houses, bridges, and damaged a hydropower station in the Gorkha district, with around 50 people rescued and five missing.
• The flood occurred as communities were preparing for the Dashain festival, forcing families to flee and face uncertainty about shelter and supplies.
• Water levels rose rapidly from 2 meters to nearly 8.5 meters within hours, and a hydrological station was swept away, hindering data collection.
• The cause of the flood remains unclear, with possibilities including a landslide blocking the river or an ice-avalanche upstream.
• This event follows catastrophic floods two months ago that killed over 1,400 people, and aid groups warn of ongoing trauma and disruption for affected children and communities.