Please refer to the attached files. NDRRMA prepared this report using information received from the District Administration Office and the District and National Emergency Operation Centers. It summarizes search, rescue and relief operations following the Budhigandaki flood in Gorkha and Dhading districts. SITUATION OVERVIEW (BASED ON TECHNICAL REPORT) At approximately 04: 20 on 11 October 2026 (25 Asoj 2083), a snow avalanche at about 6, 000 m elevation and a major landslide involving glacier ice and debris at approximately 5, 500 m occurred in the upper reaches of Ungdilung Khola, Chumnubri Rural Municipality–6, between Chamar Himal and Syerang Himal. The area contains relatively weak rocks of the Tibetan Tethys Himalaya. Smaller landslides were observed both before and after the principal failure. The mixed flow of snow, water and debris traveled south down the steep Ungdilung valley, rising as much as 300 m along the valley sides. At about 2, 000 m elevation, large quantities of debris accumulated at the narrow confluence of Ungdilung and Syar Khola, repeatedly blocking and releasing the water flow. Similar temporary blockage may also have occurred at the Syar Khola–Budhigandaki confluence. These processes produced multiple flood surges downstream. The unusually large volume of debris from Ungdilung Khola appears to have contributed more to flood height than the water impounded in Syar Khola. Mud-laden flooding first reached Salleri at approximately 04: 30. The largest surge, with an estimated height of 20–25 m, swept away the hydropower camp at Salleri at approximately 06: 30. It damaged buildings, especially at Jagat, and infrastructure including permanent bridges at Soti Khola and across the Budhigandaki. About one hour before the highest surge, the flow in Syar Khola had stopped. Field observations indicate that water had accumulated for approximately 1. 5 km upstream. Smaller surges followed the main surge. Compared with typical floods, the flow carried an unusually high proportion of fine soil relative to sand and rocks, giving it the characteristics of a viscous mudflow. This is consistent with the soil-rich layered rocks and debris at the source area. A preliminary estimate by the Department of Mines and Geology indicated that the landslide released energy equivalent to that of a magnitude 3. 5 earthquake.
Nepal – Gorkha–Budhigandaki Flash Flood: Search, Rescue and Relief Response Situation Report #03 (13 October 2026) [EN/NE]
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