Flood alert in Budhigandaki after upstream avalanche

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Apr. 22: The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an alert following a rise in the water level of the Budhigandaki River caused by an avalanche.

On Sunday morning, an avalanche occurred in Birendra Lake, located at Chumanuwri-1, Gorkha.

Locals reported an avalanche in the lake. Following the outburst of the lake, the water level in the Budhigandaki River has increased.

The Ministry’s alert is directed towards residents living in low-lying areas along the river.

“There is a risk of flood damage, so we have issued an alert to the residents in the river basin,” said Ministry Spokesperson and Joint Secretary Narayan Prasad Bhattarai.

He said that a police team deployed from Samagaun Police Post has been sent to the incident site.

Chumanuwri Rural Municipality Chairman Neema Lama said that a wooden bridge in Samagaun was washed away after a flash flood in the river. 

Apart from that, the details of other damages could not be received, he said. “We have received information that the lake has burst and following the 

incident, a wooden bridge in Samagaun has been washed away.” The risk has increased in the coastal areas of Chumanuwri, Dharche Rural Municipality due to the lake burst.  However, Chairman of Dharche 

Rural Municipality, Laxman Gurung, said that information of the lake burst was not true as reported earlier. “Only a large mound of snow from the mountain over the lake has fallen and has created upthrust of water in the lake,” said Gurung. 

“We have asked residents in coastal areas to stay vigilant. The flood is not very big. Locals have said that it is like a normal flood that comes during the monsoon season,” said Gurung.