Mud and rock torrent devastates villages along Nepal’s Budhigandaki River, bridges collapse

Early Sunday, residents of Lokpa heard an unfamiliar roar as water from the Syarkhola stream surged after a landslide blockage on the Ungilung tributary collapsed. The resulting torrent of black mud and rocks raced down the Budhigandaki, razing 45 houses, damaging 27 more, and destroying two motorable bridges, two suspension bridges, a cantilever bridge and three small hydropower projects. The Nepali Army deployed four helicopters, rescuing 95 people, while local officials reported a total of 96 rescued from the rural municipality.

Five villagers—Sonam Lama, his wife Memmo Aji Lama, Som Bhuti Lama, Karma Lama and Dorje Lama—are still missing after their shed near the Ungilung stream vanished. The flood also stranded around 115 tourists in Jagat and 40 in Lokpa, closing key trekking routes to the Tsum Valley and threatening the peak season economy. Authorities are assessing damage and exploring alternative access routes as the area remains cut off.