Flood sweeps away four homes, two bridges in Nepal's Manaslu region
Heavy overnight rain triggers flooding in Therang Khola, cutting a key section of the Manaslu Circuit as locals race to restore access.
A flood swept away four houses and two suspension bridges in Nepal's remote Manaslu region early Sunday, disrupting a key trekking route, officials said.
The flood surged down the Therang Khola river at around 3:00 am in Chumnubri rural municipality in Gorkha district after heavy overnight rain, municipal chairman Nima Lama told the Everest Chronicle.
"Rain caused the river to swell, sweeping away houses and bridges," Lama said, adding that the flooding was "not like the one in Rasuwa".
The floodwaters carried heavy sediment after the river was temporarily blocked upstream before bursting downstream, said assistant chief district officer Netra Prasad Sharma.
Authorities have urged residents along the downstream section of the river to remain alert.
The flooding has temporarily disrupted the Manaslu trekking route, but workers are searching for an old trail that could provide an alternative connection to the Nubri Valley, Lama said.
"This is a major section of the Manaslu circuit route," he said.
The municipality, Manaslu Conservation Area authorities and local residents were working together to reopen the route, Lama said.
Although the area is outside the main trekking season, visitors are still travelling to the remote Himalayan valley, he said.
"We will make temporary arrangements to allow people to cross the river on foot and reach the valley soon," Lama said.
