The Manaslu Circuit Trek has been severely disrupted after a flash flood in the Therang Khola swept away a key bridge in northern Gorkha, cutting off an important section of the trekking route and leaving hundreds of trekkers traveling toward Larkya Pass facing difficulties. The flood, which struck the Namrung area of Chumnubri Rural Municipality 4, also destroyed another bridge along the Manaslu route, two local hydropower projects, and four houses, causing major disruption to both tourism and daily life in the remote mountain area.
Manaslu Trek Route Cut Off By Flood
The destruction of the bridges has directly affected movement along the Manaslu Circuit Trek, one of the major trekking routes in northern Gorkha. According to resident Lakpa Dundup Lama, the flood washed away the bridge leading from Namrung toward the Manaslu region, while another bridge farther downstream was also swept away after the flood increased the flow of the Budhi Gandaki River. With both crossings damaged, trekkers and local residents are facing difficulties moving between sections of the route.
The damage comes as Manaslu trekking activity was beginning to increase, with tourists starting to travel through the region following the monsoon period. The loss of the bridges has interrupted that movement, particularly for trekkers heading toward Larkya La Pass, and has created an immediate access problem on a route where bridges are essential for crossing the mountain rivers and continuing along the trail.
Hundreds Of Trekkers Face Difficulties
Hundreds of tourists traveling toward Larkya Pass have been affected by the destruction of the Budhi Gandaki bridge, according to the local report. The affected crossing is an important part of the route used by trekkers moving through the Manaslu region, meaning the flood has disrupted not only local transportation but also the movement of international and domestic visitors on the trekking circuit.
The situation has created uncertainty for trekkers already traveling through the area, as the destroyed crossings make it difficult to continue normally along the route. The disruption is particularly significant because the Manaslu Circuit Trek depends heavily on suspension bridges and narrow river crossings to connect settlements and trekking sections. Until a safe alternative crossing is established, trekkers may have to wait for access to be restored.
Flood Also Damages Manaslu Infrastructure
The flood caused extensive damage to infrastructure serving communities along the Manaslu trekking corridor. Two micro hydropower projects were swept away, including a newly completed 100 kilowatt project that had cost around Rs 70 million and had already entered test transmission. An older 22 kilowatt hydropower project that had been supplying electricity to local residents was also destroyed.
The loss of electricity has affected lighting, communication services and other electricity-dependent facilities in the area. For the Manaslu Trek, the disruption to communication and local infrastructure adds to the difficulties created by the damaged bridges, particularly in a remote mountain region where access and communications are already limited.
Four Homes Destroyed As Recovery Begins
The same flood and landslide debris also destroyed four houses belonging to Namrungkanurvu Ongyal, also known as Nurvu Chhiring, Urgen Chhoiden, Lhakpa Bhuti and Dorje Gyaljen. Residents escaped after the force of the flood shook the village during the night, and no human casualties were reported.
Local authorities have planned immediate relief for the affected families, with Rs 20,000 for each household for food and clothing and additional assistance of Rs 100,000 per household from Chumnubri Rural Municipality in the coming days. Meanwhile, restoring safe crossings will be crucial for residents as well as for the Manaslu Circuit Trek, as hundreds of trekkers remain affected by the sudden disruption along the route.
