Hundreds of tourists visiting the popular mountain village of Ghandruk have been stranded after flash floods in the Modi River washed away a section of the road connecting the village to Pokhara on Sunday. The flooding occurred near Syauli Bazar, on the border of Wards 8 and 10 of Annapurna Rural Municipality, Kaski, forcing the closure of the Nayapul–Birethanti–Ghandruk road, the main vehicular route to one of Nepal’s most visited trekking destinations.
Road Link Severed After Kimrong Khola Flood
According to local authorities, the Modi River swelled dramatically after a flood originating from the Kimrong Khola in Ward 11 of Annapurna Rural Municipality, where the river was temporarily blocked before surging downstream. The powerful floodwaters swept away a paved section of the road, cutting off direct road access to Ghandruk, a renowned rural tourism destination and an important gateway to the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) and Ghorepani–Poon Hill trekking routes.
Around 300 Tourists Waiting for Road to Reopen
The road closure has left approximately 300 tourists stranded in Ghandruk, many of whom had travelled to the village during the three-day holiday. According to Krishna Gurung, Treasurer of the Ghandruk Tourism Entrepreneurs Committee, most of the stranded visitors arrived in their own vehicles and are now waiting for authorities to restore road access. “The river washed away the road, so vehicles cannot operate at the moment. Most tourists came in their private vehicles and are waiting for the road to reopen. We are also exploring alternative routes for smaller vehicles,” Gurung said. Although trekking on foot remains possible, visitors who travelled by car, jeep, or other vehicles are unable to leave the village.
Alternative Route Being Prepared
Annapurna Rural Municipality has begun repairing an unpaved alternative route connecting Ghandruk–Khulibang–Mohariya–Tamu–Birethanti, primarily to facilitate the movement of motorcycles and scooters while the main road remains closed. Local officials said efforts are underway to make the temporary route operational as quickly as possible to ease the movement of stranded visitors.
Authorities Working to Restore Traffic
Annapurna Rural Municipality Chairperson Bishnu Bahadur KC said local authorities, technical teams, and district administration officials have reached the affected area near Syauli Bazar to assess the damage and coordinate emergency road restoration. “We are discussing whether stranded tourists can be transported using a repaired alternative route. Rainfall has eased and the river’s water level has declined, so we are also consulting with the administration on the possibility of reopening the damaged section for one-way traffic,” KC said.
Major Tourism Gateway Affected
Ghandruk is one of Nepal’s most iconic mountain villages and serves as a key entry point for trekkers heading to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) and the Ghorepani–Poon Hill trail. The disruption comes during the monsoon season, when heavy rainfall frequently triggers floods and landslides in the Himalayan region. Authorities have urged travellers to monitor weather updates, follow official advisories, and avoid unnecessary travel to areas vulnerable to flooding until road conditions improve.
