Budhi Gandaki flash flood likely caused by landslide dam breach, says Flood Forecasting Division
Summary
A sudden flash flood in the Budhi Gandaki River is suspected to have been triggered by a landslide dam breach, according to the Flood Forecasting Division. Officials issued repeated SMS and social media warnings as water levels surged and a bridge and monitoring station were swept away.
Key Points
- The Flood Forecasting Division suspects a landslide temporarily blocked the Budhi Gandaki River before the accumulated water burst through and caused the flash flood.
- Rainfall was minimal in the area over the previous 24 hours, making it an unlikely immediate cause of the sudden flooding.
- Water levels at the Budhi Gandaki-Aarughat station rose sharply from 2.28 meters to 8.43 meters before the monitoring station and a bridge were washed away.
- The division sent multiple SMS alerts and Facebook Live warnings to residents downstream, urging evacuation and caution in affected areas.
