Over 100 foreign trekkers stranded in Nepal on October 12
Five villagers remain out of contact after flooding in Nepal’s Gorkha district destroyed homes and bridges and prompted evacuation warnings.
- Over 100 foreign trekkers are stranded in central Nepal's Manaslu region as of October 12.
- They became stranded after a landslide-triggered flood over the weekend washed away hiking trails and bridges, cutting off their return routes.
- While awaiting rescue, the trekkers are reported to be safe in local restaurants and tea houses along the trekking route.
- Nepali authorities are conducting rescue operations and had already evacuated 96 people, including nine foreigners, by Monday.
More than 100 foreign trekkers are stranded at different locations after the flooding of a river in central Nepal at the weekend swept away hiking trails and bridges. Bhuwan Raj Ojha, an official with the Manaslu Conservation Area Project, confirmed the situation on Monday (October 12, 2026).
Nepali authorities had rescued 96 people, including nine foreigners, by Monday, Reuters reported. Five villagers remained out of contact, with no deaths reported.
The flooding followed a landslide in Chumnubri village in Gorkha district, about 100km (62 miles) west of Kathmandu, on Sunday (October 11). Authorities said the landslide blocked the Budhi Gandaki River.
Damaged Manaslu trails prevent trekkers returning
Ojha explained that washed-out sections of the Manaslu trekking trail had cut off return routes. Visitors wanting to leave needed rescue, while others could continue trekking from safe locations.
“There are restaurants and tea houses along the route. They are safe,” Ojha told Reuters, referring to the Manaslu trekking route.
Nepal’s army said rescue operations were continuing on Monday despite receding floodwaters.
Flood destroys homes and bridges in Gorkha
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that about a dozen homes and two suspension bridges had been swept away. A hydroelectric project camp was damaged and construction equipment carried off.
Dharam Raj Uprety, head of Nepal’s disaster management authority, reported that the highway bridge linking Gorkha with neighbouring Dhading district had also been destroyed.
Nepal’s disaster authorities reported damage to three hydroelectric plants by Monday. The five villagers out of contact were two women and three men.
Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, Gorkha’s most senior district official, urged downstream riverbank residents to evacuate. Flood alerts covered Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan, East Nawalparasi and West Nawalparasi.
Nepali army and police rescuers reached the affected area on Sunday, with officials also monitoring conditions from a helicopter.
Experts assess possible landslide-dam failure
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) said the flood may have followed the failure of a temporary river blockage created by a landslide. The assessment was based on preliminary accounts from Nepali authorities.
The Budhi Gandaki joins the Trishuli River downstream of another tributary where a glacier collapse triggered flooding in August. That separate disaster killed 1,457 people, with thousands still missing.
ICIMOD director general Pema Gyamtsho said the event demonstrated the vulnerability of mountain communities and river corridors to sudden, cascading hazards. Emergency response must take priority, although understanding the cause was essential to reducing future risks, he added.
