Manaslu Flood Update 2026: What Happened on the Budhi Gandaki and What It Means for Your Trek

Before dawn on Sunday, 11 October 2026, villagers along the Budhi Gandaki River in Gorkha heard the water begin to roar. By morning, a debris-laden flash flood had torn through Salleri, Paiyun, Bagar and Jagat. It took houses, a hydropower construction camp and at least six bridges with it.

More than 100 foreign trekkers, who had entered the Manaslu Conservation Area only a day earlier, found the trail broken around them. This Manaslu flood update brings together what is confirmed so far. It covers the damage, the rescue effort, the state of the trail and what travellers should do next.

Our sources include Nepal's major news outlets, official statements, and the Nepal Tourism Board's live travel information hub. Our own team and trekkers are safe, and the situation is still developing.

Manaslu Flood Update: What Happened on 11 October 2026

A flash flood is a sudden surge of water that arrives with little warning, and this one carried mud, boulders and timber. It struck settlements in Chumnubri and Dharche rural municipalities in northern Gorkha. Residents reported unusual river noise from about 4 am.

The Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) said 98 foreign tourists had entered the conservation area on Saturday. By Sunday, more than 100 were stranded at Jagat, the gateway to the area, as Onlinekhabar reported. Others were waiting at Lokpa and Chekampar. MCAP's conservation officer confirmed that all of them were in safe locations.

Key facts at a glance

• Date: Sunday, 11 October 2026, early morning
• River: Budhi Gandaki, Gorkha district and Gandaki Province
• Origin: Between Lokpa and Chumling, Chumnubri Rural Municipality-6
• Trekkers stranded: 100+ foreign tourists, mostly at Jagat
• Trekker safety: MCAP reports all safe; Jagat checkpoint and lodges reported safe
• Houses lost: About 35 to 40, per local officials
• Bridges lost: At least six, per myRepublica
• People missing: Reports range from four to about a dozen
• People rescued: 47, per the disaster authority (NDRRMA)

How the morning unfolded

• About 4 am: Residents near Lokpa and Chumling noticed the river surging and dropping.
• Early morning: Reports described a landslide blocking the river, which then released in surges.
• Mid-morning: The flood moved downstream towards Soti Khola and Arughat, and authorities told riverside villagers to move uphill.
• Later: Nepal Army helicopters began evacuating stranded people.

Manaslu Flood Update: Damage to Bridges, Villages and Trekking Trails

The flood hit both the communities and the infrastructure that trekkers depend on.

• Paiyun and Bagar: About 35 houses washed away or damaged
• Salleri: Houses and market affected; hydropower construction camp swept away
• Jagat: Houses and market damaged; footbridge to Thadobharyang reportedly lost
• Dobhan: Motorable Bailey bridge destroyed
• Ghattikhola: Muddy water entered houses; footbridge to Philim damaged
• Machha Khola: Suspension bridge towards Kerauja washed away
• Nyakchet / Nyakphedi: Suspension bridge towards Philim damaged; hotels reportedly lost
• Soti: Concrete bridge and the Soti–Manbu motorable bridge swept away

The Kathmandu Post reports that the flood swept away the construction camp of the 341 MW Budhi Gandaki hydropower project at Salleri. Everest Chronicle describes a separate powerhouse under construction there. PTI says two hydropower projects were damaged, and The Himalayan Times adds that power and telecom infrastructure also suffered.

People affected

• Missing: NDRRMA counted five missing, including people from a sheepfold at Ungiling in Chumchet. PTI and myRepublica reported ten, and Everest Chronicle said around a dozen. Treat the number as unconfirmed.
• Herders: Local reports mention four or five herders out of contact on the Sirdibas–Chumling route.
• Casualties: No deaths were confirmed in the early reports.

What Caused the Budhi Gandaki Flood?

The cause is not yet confirmed. Officials point to a landslide dam, which is a natural blockage of a river by fallen earth and rock. Water builds up behind it, and when the dam gives way, a surge rushes downstream.

Several details support this view:

• Police were told of a landslide blockage between Lokpa and Chumling.
• Residents suspect the Syar stream, a tributary, according to PTI. Other outlets name different streams in the same ward.
• Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology says no rainfall was recorded in the upper catchment.

Nepal Now says it is still unclear whether this was a landslide-dam outburst, a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) or something else. We will update this section when authorities confirm the cause.

Why this valley is so exposed: The Manaslu trail follows the river through a narrow, steep gorge. Trekkers cross it repeatedly on suspension bridges, and landslides are common in the post-monsoon season. A single blockage upstream can therefore affect every village below it.

Why Reports Differ, and How We Handle Them

Early disaster reporting is messy, and this event is no exception. Missing-person counts range from four to about a dozen. Bridge names differ between outlets, and the suspected source stream is named differently in different reports.

This happens because information arrives from police, rural municipality officials, residents and rescue teams at different times. We therefore attribute figures to their sources, flag disagreements and avoid guessing. If you spot a newer official figure, please tell us, and we will check it and update this page.

Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek Open? Manaslu Flood Update on Trail Status

No. The Manaslu Circuit is closed right now. Reports say the main trekking trail to Manaslu is halted, and trekker movement has stopped. Nepal Now advises delaying departure on the Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley until updated route information is available.

The circuit follows the Budhi Gandaki upstream through Soti Khola, Machha Khola, Jagat, Deng, Namrung and Samagaun. It then crosses Larkya La Pass at 5,106 m and descends to Bimthang. Damage to the lower sections cuts off everything above them.

• Arughat to Soti Khola, avoid: Bridges destroyed; downstream warnings issued
• Soti Khola to Machha Khola, disrupted: Groups reported returning from Machha Khola
• Yaru Bagar to Jagat, closed: Reported heavily damaged; rescues at Yaru and Jagat
• Jagat to Philim to Deng, unverified: Philim crossings reported damaged
• Lokpa to Tsum Valley, closed: Access past Lokpa reported impassable
• Namrung to Samagaun to Larkya La, unverified: No damage reported, but access depends on the lower valley

Status reflects reports available on 11 October 2026. Always confirm with your operator.

What Happens Next: Reopening, Repairs and Timing

Nobody can give a reliable reopening date yet. After the 6 September flood near Namrung, operators reported that a temporary wooden bridge restored movement within days. This time the damage is wider. Reports describe several bridges, long trail sections and riverside villages affected between Soti Khola and Philim.

Four things will decide when trekkers return:

1. A stable river: Authorities need to be sure no blockage remains upstream that could release more water.
2. Safe crossings: Damaged bridges need repair or temporary replacements that guides trust.
3. Working lodges and supplies: Villages such as Jagat and Salleri must be able to host trekkers again.
4. An official notice: The Gorkha District Administration Office, MCAP and the Nepal Tourism Board will signal when routes are open.

Until those notices appear, treat any departure through Gorkha as on hold. If you are flexible, watch for updates and ask your operator for daily briefings.

Rescue and Response: What Authorities Are Doing

A large operation is underway:

• Nepal Army: Four helicopters evacuated 47 people, according to NDRRMA. An earlier army count listed 36, including an infant and a foreign national, from Jagat, Nyakphedi, Yaru and Paiyun.
• Security forces: 437 personnel from the Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force were deployed.
• Hydropower staff: 12 employees of a Salleri project were evacuated.
• TAAN Gandaki: Its president, Krishna Prasad Acharya, said the association is collecting data on trekkers in the conservation area and coordinating their safe movement.
• Downstream alerts: Residents in Soti, Arkhet and Arughat were told to move to safer ground. Alerts also extend towards Benighat and Muglin on the Trishuli.

Emergency numbers

• Nepal Police: 100
• Tourist Police: 1144
• DHM flood information line: 1155

Earlier 2026 Disruptions on the Manaslu Route

This is not the first disruption this season. Knowing the pattern explains why local operators now build in extra days.

• 6 September: A flood on the Therang Khola near Namrung swept away houses and two suspension bridges. The Gorkha District Administration Office suspended the Manaslu Circuit and Larkya La. Several operators report that a temporary wooden bridge restored movement within days.
• 25–27 September: Heavy rain and snow across Nepal; Nepal Now reports a landslide near Samagaun.
• Early October: Nepal Now reports groups crossing Larkya La, with snow and ice still a concern.
• 11 October: The Budhi Gandaki flood described in this article.

The September flood happened higher up, near Namrung. Today's flood hit the lower and middle valley, so the two events damaged different sections. Nepal Now treats the earlier Rasuwa–Bhotekoshi disaster as a separate event in another river corridor.

Manaslu Flood Update for Travellers: What to Do Now

Your best step depends on where you are. In every case, stay in contact with your operator and follow local instructions.

If you are booked to start the Manaslu Circuit soon

• Do not travel to Arughat or Soti Khola for now.
• Ask your operator for written rebooking or alternative options.
• Contact your insurer before cancelling anything. Cover varies by policy.
• Avoid unofficial detours around damaged bridges.

If you are already trekking in the Manaslu region

• Stay where your guide advises, away from riverbanks and low ground.
• Share your location with your agency and your embassy.
• Do not cross damaged bridges or swollen streams. Water levels can rise again.
• Keep phones charged, as network damage is possible.

If a friend or family member is on the trail

• Call their trekking agency first. Agencies are in direct contact with guides.
• Use the Nepal Police and Tourist Police numbers above.
• Nepal Now links to a community-run tracker of rescued and missing people. It is volunteer-maintained and unofficial, so cross-check anything you see there.

Best Alternatives to the Manaslu Circuit This Autumn

Nepal Now says Kathmandu, Pokhara, Everest, Annapurna and Chitwan are outside the flood corridor and continue to operate. Conditions can still change locally, so check before you go.

• Classic Everest Base Camp Trek: a different river system and a proven acclimatisation schedule.
• Annapurna Circuit Trek: a classic high-pass circuit with a similar feel.
• Annapurna Base Camp Trek: a shorter option for tighter schedules.

First-timers can start with our Everest Base Camp preparation guide.

How Earthbound Expeditions Is Handling the Manaslu Flood

Our team is safe, and no Earthbound Expeditions trekkers are affected. New Manaslu Circuit departures are on hold while conditions are assessed. We are in direct contact with guides across the region.

For travellers booked on affected routes, we can discuss moving to a later date or a different trek. We also recommend padding days in every itinerary. Our guides make the final safety call, and no schedule overrides it.

You can read about our licences on our certificates page and our approach on the about page.

Safety Checklist for River-Corridor Treks

Post-monsoon floods, landslides and damaged bridges can affect any Himalayan valley.

Use this checklist on every trek:

1. Check the river each morning: Ask your guide about water colour, level and noise.
2. Build in spare days: A short delay costs far less than a rushed crossing.
3. Never use a damaged bridge: Wait for repairs or an approved detour.
4. Camp and sleep away from riverbanks.
5. Carry insurance with helicopter evacuation cover.
6. Travel with a licensed guide and a registered operator.
7. Follow official updates from MCAP, TAAN and Nepal Now.

Plan Your Next Trek With Confidence

The Budhi Gandaki flood is a serious event for the people of Gorkha and for the trekkers who were in the area. Our thoughts are with the affected communities. For travellers, the message of this Manaslu flood update is simple. Delay, stay flexible and rely on local guidance.

If you need help changing plans, contact our team. We will review your options with you.

About Earthbound Expeditions

Established in 1999, Earthbound Expeditions is a licensed local adventure agency. Our friendly and experienced team curates treks, peak climbs and cultural tours across Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. We connect travellers with licensed, native guides for Himalayan journeys, from Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit to Kailash Yatra overland tours, yoga retreats and philanthropic adventures. With a 99% safety record over 27 years, we offer customisable small-group itineraries with built-in acclimatisation, 24/7 local support and luxury add-ons such as helicopter return options.

Manaslu Flood Update: Frequently Asked Questions

Will my travel insurance cover a Manaslu trek cancelled by floods?
It depends on your policy. Some policies exclude events that were already known when you bought cover. Read the terms on natural disasters and cancellations, then call your insurer before you cancel.

Can I rebook my Manaslu Circuit trek?
Usually yes, but terms differ between operators. Ask your agency for options in writing, including a later date or a different trek, and agree what happens to your deposit.

Can I extend my Manaslu permit if the trek is delayed?
Permit rules are set by Nepal's authorities, not by operators. Ask your agency to check with the relevant offices whether your dates can be adjusted.

Is the Manaslu Circuit safe in November and December 2026?
Late autumn brings colder nights and more snow on Larkya La. This year, bridge and trail repair is the bigger question. Wait for official route confirmation and ask your operator for a daily-updated plan.

What is the condition of Larkya La Pass right now?
Before the flood, Nepal Now reported groups crossing for several days, with snow and ice still a concern. We have no confirmed report of flood damage on the pass. However, access depends on the lower valley.

Can I still do the Tsum Valley trek?
Not for now. The Tsum Valley route branches from the main trail at Lokpa, where reports say access is impassable.

How do I check live trail conditions in Nepal?
Use the Nepal Now interactive map, contact MCAP or your agency, and call the DHM flood line on 1155. Check each morning again, because conditions change quickly.

Can a helicopter take trekkers out of the Manaslu region?
Rescue flights are coordinated by authorities and operators, and they depend on weather and permissions. The Nepal Army has used helicopters in this event. Check that your insurance covers helicopter evacuation before you trek.

Is it safe to travel to Nepal right now?
For most itineraries, yes. Nepal Now stresses that this flood is confined to one river corridor. Check your own route with your operator before you travel.