KATHMANDU: Flooding in the Modi Khola triggered by heavy rainfall in Kaski’s Annapurna Rural Municipality has disrupted road access to the popular tourist destination of Ghandruk, damaged homes and businesses, and forced four hydropower projects to suspend electricity generation.
Heavy rain in Kimrung, Annapurna Rural Municipality-11, since Sunday morning caused landslides at several locations, increasing the flow of the Modi Khola.
The flood eroded a section of the Nayapul-Birethanti-Ghandruk road near Syauli Bazaar, on the border of Wards 8 and 10, completely blocking vehicular access to Ghandruk.
A house and restaurant owned by Dilip Gurung were swept away by the flood, while another restaurant belonging to Jagan Pun sustained damage. Authorities said no human casualties have been reported.
The flood also swept away a suspension bridge over the Kimrung Khola on the Annapurna trekking route, disrupting movement for local residents and domestic and foreign trekkers.
Bharatman Gurung, chairperson of Ward No. 7, said homes along the riverbanks remain at high risk as continuous rainfall has shown no sign of easing. Local residents managed to move some belongings from the affected restaurant before it was destroyed.
The road closure has stranded hundreds of vehicles travelling to Ghandruk, Landruk and other tourist destinations, while trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit have also been affected. Police said some travellers have continued their journeys on foot, adding that the road is unlikely to reopen immediately.
Authorities have urged residents living along the Modi Khola to remain on high alert as the river’s water level continues to rise. The District Administration Office, District Police Office and Modi Rural Municipality in Parbat have advised people in vulnerable areas to move to safer locations if necessary.
The surge in river flow also forced four hydropower projects—Madhya Modi, Modi Khola, Lower Modi and United Modi—to halt electricity generation. Surendra Belbase, public relations officer of the Lower Modi Hydropower Project, said the shutdown has affected nearly 74 megawatts of power generation.
Local officials believe the flood was triggered after a landslide temporarily dammed the river upstream before the blockage suddenly burst.
A team comprising local government officials, Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has been deployed to assess the damage and coordinate response efforts.
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