A flood originated from the Wingilung Khola has wreaked havoc on bridges, trekking trails, settlements, and other infrastructure in Chumnubri Rural Municipality of Gorkha district, reports the preliminary information received from a local ward member. The extent of damage and the impact is yet to be determined, while at least five herders are still reported to be in the area.
The flood is reported to have originated from the Wingilung Khola and merged with the Shyar Khola before merging with the Budhi Gandaki. Initial reports suggest that the disaster has submerged a suspension bridge, damaged trekking trails, and destroyed the hydropower camp, homes, and other structures along the banks of the river. Authorities and other stakeholders must pay close attention to the disaster to understand its magnitude and impact.
Suspension Bridge and Settlements Damaged
According to the preliminary information, the old suspension bridge at Nakchet connecting Filim has been swept away by the flood. Besides the bridge, the Salleri settlement is also reported to be badly affected by the disaster. Initial reports suggest that the camp site of the Salleri Hydropower Project and the houses were completely washed away. Jagat Bagar is also among the localities that have been badly affected by the disaster. The extent of damage to the settlements, however, is yet to be determined. Loss of bridges and damage to houses and other structures will undoubtedly cause significant disruptions to the local inhabitants of the region.
Trekking Trails Disrupted in the Manaslu Region
The flood has also caused damage to trekking trails, impeding free traffic in the Manaslu region. Preliminary information suggests that the trails to Jagat via the Salleri and Yaru Bagar have been disrupted, while the trail to the Chum Valley above Lokpa has been washed away. The damage to the trails will cause disruptions to the local inhabitants, trekkers, and other road users. More information is required to confirm the status of the trail and other traffic routes before declaring them safe for use.
Five Herders Unaccounted for, Tourist Safety Under Assessment
The preliminary report highlights the fact that at least five herders are still unaccounted for after being caught in the flood. The localities are ideal for grazing livestock, and the residents have sheds for their animals. It is still unclear what happened to the five herders as attempts to confirm their safety and location have not yielded any results. Authorities must step up to confirm the status of the five unfortunate herders.
No human casualty has been reported so far as the MCAP Jagat post was safe and secure, and the tourists, locals, and staff present there were safe. It is, however, still too early to conclude whether the flood has caused any form of human damage as there is no direct link to the Wingilung Khola region, and the five herders still remain unaccounted for. The Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) management and local authorities must verify and assess the safety situation to ensure there are no underlying issues.
Authorities Urged to Assess Damage and Verify Safety
The preliminary information underscores the need for authorities to conduct a detailed field inspection to confirm the extent of damage caused by the flood. Chumnubri Rural Municipality, relevant security agencies, and other stakeholders must respond to the disaster to mitigate the effects and ensure the safety and wellbeing of the affected locals, trekkers, and other road users. Search and rescue operations for the five herders must be prioritized as well as the status of the affected bridges, trails, settlements, hydropower projects, and other infrastructure along the Budhi Gandaki river.
The information collated here is just a highlight of the initial reports received from a local representative of Chumchet, Ward No. 6, of Chumnubri Rural Municipality. The reports are yet to be independently verified by a field inspection. Therefore, more information is required to highlight the exact number of people affected by the disaster, the status of the five herders, and the extent of damage to the structures and localities along the banks of the river.
