More than 100 foreign trekkers have reportedly been stranded in central Nepal after devastating flash floods swept away bridges, hiking trails, and residential structures across the Gorkha district. Officials from the Manaslu Conservation Area Project indicated that substantial segments of the popular trekking route were completely washed away, leaving travelers isolated in various mountainous pockets.

Authorities allegedly claimed that while some stranded hikers are seeking immediate evacuation, others intend to wait out the disruption in supposedly safe zones along the trail. It is asserted that local tea houses and shelters remain intact, though severe communication blackouts and diminishing food reserves are compounding the crisis for stranded individuals, including foreign nationals. *

The disaster unfolded when a predawn landslide obstructed the Budhi Gandaki River, unleashing a sudden wall of water and debris. While rescue operations involving military personnel have managed to evacuate hundreds of people, the ongoing crisis highlights severe vulnerabilities in the region's disaster preparedness infrastructure.

Although no fatalities have been officially confirmed in the immediate aftermath, at least five villagers remain unaccounted for after thick muddy sludge destroyed over 200 homes and severely damaged multiple hydroelectric facilities. Downstream communities have been placed on high alert as local authorities struggle to manage the unfolding emergency.

Source: www.aljazeera.com