KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepalese military rescuers on Monday reached villages hit by a flash flood the day before, delivering aid and evacuating residents and tourists. At least five people are missing in an area popular with hikers and tourists
Helicopters and soldiers brought food and other relief to communities along the Budhi Gandaki River in north-central Nepal. No deaths have been reported.
The government said an early warning allowed most people to reach higher ground before flooding hit.
Sunday’s flooding followed a landslide that blocked the river near the village of Chumchure. Floodwaters damaged or destroyed five bridges, construction sites of three hydroelectric plants and dozens of homes and farms.
Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, chief administrator of the Gorkha district government, said more than 200 people were evacuated on Monday.
Strong winds interrupted helicopter flights in the afternoon, but they will resume Tuesday to deliver relief supplies, Mishra said. Extensive road damage means helicopters will continue to supply villages cut off by flooding, he added.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said Monday that those rescued included nine foreigners, who were taken to nearby towns.
The affected area includes popular hiking routes and October is one of the busiest months for visitors.
Among those rescued was Chinese tourist Weiwei Zhao, who was hiking with a friend but turned back due to heavy snow.
“In the morning we heard a very loud earthquake, like a voice (sound), but later we know what happened in front of our path,” she said.
Trucks transported food, tents, medicine and other supplies to communities accessible by road, while army helicopters delivered aid to isolated mountain villages.
The Budhi Gandaki flows into the Trishuli River and is a key waterway near Kathmandu, the capital.
Videos posted on social media showed houses and sheds being swept away by the swollen river as it surged between steep mountains. It is not clear how many villages were affected.
Nepal is still recovering from devastating flood which swept through the mountainous border region between Nepal and China in August, leaving more than 1,400 dead and thousands missing.
The office of Prime Minister Balendra Shah announced a end of search and rescue operations on October 5 as recovery efforts shifted to repairing infrastructure.
Gn world
