Flood destroys bridges and hotels, crippling Manaslu trekking season in northern Gorkha

Heavy rains caused the Budhigandaki River to burst its banks on Sunday, sweeping away five bridges—including four footbridges and one motorable bridge—and damaging roads at four points in northern Gorkha. The disaster destroyed over two dozen hotels and 24 houses, displacing 76 people and endangering another 70, with estimated losses of around Rs100 million in Ward 1 of Dharche Rural Municipality. About 1,000 residents now lack reliable crossing points, and trekking routes through the Manaslu region have collapsed, leaving dozens of tourists stranded and some evacuated by helicopter.

Ward chairs Ram Singh Gurung and Ram Kumar Gurung said relief supplies are insufficient and road damage hampers aid delivery. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has dispatched rice, tents, mattresses and other essentials, but many families remain anxious as the peak trekking season approaches.