KATHMANDU — A powerful flash flood swept away an estimated 35 to 40 houses in Nepal’s central Gorkha district early Sunday, destroying bridges and damaging infrastructure as authorities launched emergency rescue and evacuation operations.The flood struck along the Budhi Gandaki River, causing extensive damage in the Chumnubri and Dharche rural municipalities, according to local newspaper The Kathmandu Post.Floodwaters swept away homes, bridges and infrastructure at a hydropower project, inundating settlements and threatening additional houses as river levels continued to rise.Home Minister Sudan Gurung confirmed that the flood had destroyed a bridge connecting Nyakchet and Philim Bazaar in Chumnubri-3, disrupting local transportation.Authorities deployed helicopters to conduct rescue operations, evacuate residents and deliver emergency relief supplies to affected communities.Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and local authorities were also mobilized to assist with rescue and relief efforts.Gorkha Chief District Officer Dharmendra Kumar Mishra said preliminary reports suggested that a landslide had occurred above Siuribas, although the exact cause of the flooding remained under investigation.No casualties had been reported as of Sunday, Mishra said.Authorities used loudspeakers to warn residents living along the riverbanks and urged them to evacuate to safer areas as the threat of further flooding persisted.Officials said assessments were underway to determine the full extent of the damage.
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