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Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Just 2 days ago--

The latest flood follows another major flood-generating event in the same valley in April 2024, when a massive ice avalanche from the snout of the Manaslu Glacier plunged into Birendra Tal and triggered a sudden overflow into the Budhi Gandaki River. A detailed ICIMOD-led assessment found that event was caused by displacement of lake water following the ice avalanche, rather than a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF). Together, the two events highlight the range of hazards capable of generating destructive floods in Himalayan river systems and the importance of monitoring multiple sources of risk.
“Coming so soon after the Gyirong-Rasuwa disaster, this event is another reminder of how exposed mountain communities and river corridors remain to sudden, cascading hazards,” said Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of ICIMOD. “While response efforts must remain the immediate priority, understanding what triggered this flood will be critical for reducing future risks and strengthening resilience.”
The Budhi Gandaki flood also highlights the vulnerability of settlements, transport networks, energy infrastructure and essential services located along mountain river corridors. As response efforts continue, a better understanding of how slope instability, river dynamics and downstream exposure interact will be critical for risk reduction, infrastructure planning and recovery efforts in the Himalaya.