Flash floods wreck homes and bridges in Nepal’s Gorkha

Nepal is still trying to recover from the devastating flash floods on 26th of August. On 11th of October, the Himalayan nation was once again hit by flash floods, this time in the Gorkha district, west of capital Kathmandu. This time, more than 200 houses and five bridges were swept away, dealing yet another blow to a country already struggling to recover and triggering concerns over its ability to withstand frequent natural calamities. The country's resilience is being tested like never before. The reoccurring flash floods have pushed the Himalayan nation to the hilt, leaving its people struggling to cope with devastating losses and filled with immense grief. Just when communities were beginning to rebuild their lives, another tragedy struck on the 11th of October. The devastating flash floods swept away more than 200 houses and five bridges along the Budhigandaki River, which is a tributary of the Trishuli River. In Gorkha district, about 100 kilometers west of Kathmandu, powerful floodwaters crashed into the Soti Khola bridge, causing it to buckle under the force of the torrent before it was swept away. At least five people are still missing, and although no deaths have been confirmed, in the latest disaster, concerns are growing over the toll on affected communities. Our correspondent, Saloni Murarka, filed this report in the aftermath of the Sunday flash floods. The flood hit a hydropower project, sweeping away its main camp and equipment. At least 22 homes are now at immediate risk. The Nepal Army, meanwhile, have rescued 95 people, while nearly 500 security personnel have been deployed for search and rescue operation. Authorities here in Kathmandu, meanwhile, have brought in geologists and drones to investigate what triggered the landslide that caused the surge in the river. According to officials, a landslide in Chhumnubri village in Gorkha district blocked the Budhigandaki river, resulting in downstream flooding. Rescue teams, supported by army helicopters, have been working tirelessly to reach cut-off settlements and bring people to safety. Dozens of people, including foreign nationals, have been rescued, but the situation remains critical with more than 100 foreign trekkers stranded after floodwaters destroyed hiking trails along the popular Manaslu Circuit trek. There were about 10 buildings here, but you can see that it has transformed into a riverbank. There was a community building here and homes of other residents. It has all turned into a riverbank. It is a big loss for us. The tragedy has come at an unfortunate time when Nepal is still struggling to recover from the previous catastrophe, which affected more than 80,000 people. Thousands who lost their homes and livelihoods continue to live in emergency shelters, relying on humanitarian assistance for basic necessities, including food, water and shelter. Several villages near the worst-hit areas remain cut off, forcing the Nepali government and the United Nations to transport essential supplies by helicopter and cargo drones. The frequent disasters have further complicated recovery efforts, heaping more misery on the already vulnerable communities. to address the growing humanitarian crisis the United Nations has launched an urgent appeal for nearly 50 million dollars in emergency assistance no one is living here anymore it's difficult to live here now because there's no water and no electricity they're working to restore and organize things so hopefully it will gradually become easier but for now it's still difficult though several countries have pledged financial assistance the financial aid so far remains well below what Nepal needs to rebuild the government estimates that reconstruction will cost around four point seven eight billion dollars with fifty seven million dollars needed for short-term recovery over the next six months alone in addition to the destruction the disaster has also renewed concerns over the impact of climate change experts have pointed to rising climate risks, warning that Nepal's fragile Himalayan ecosystem is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather, glacial melt and landslides. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly last month, Prime Minister Balendra Shah had described Nepal's catastrophic flooding as a warning to the world, urging the international community to take the rising threat of climate change more seriously. But back home, the struggle is far from over for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Along the Trishuli River, survivors continue to clear the mud, in a bid to salvage what remains and find ways to get their businesses back on their feet. Yet every attempt to rebuild brings its own challenges. Just as families begin to pick up the pieces, another disaster threatens to wipe away their progress, leaving them to start afresh. For communities already struggling with loss and uncertainty, the question remains, how How do you rebuild your life when you are repeatedly forced back to square one?