Kathmandu: Kagbeni in the Baragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality-4 suffered damage as the lake burst in Kagkholā. At 7:40 PM on Sunday, a one-hour flood occurred in Kagkholā, located in Kagbeni Bazaar, Baragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality-4. The flood resulted from the collapse of the solid bridge leading to Lomangthang and the collapse of the temporary bridge as well. The Nepali Army, stationed in the bazaar area, informed the locals.

Although discussions had been ongoing about floods occurring in the Muktinath region due to heavy rainfall, the initial research shows that the impact was seen from the burst lake in the Kagkholā area. According to the senior hydrologist of the Flood Forecasting Section of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Sunil Pokharel, the Kagkholā area of the Kali Gandaki River experienced flooding in the adjacent low-lying areas due to the burst lake in the Thini area of Muktinath.

‘As the lake burst above Kagkholā, it caused flooding in the downstream area as well,’ said senior hydrologist Pokharel, ‘The downstream area has been affected by the flooding due to the burst dam.’

Kagbeni is situated above the confluence of Kagkholā and Kali Gandaki. From there, Kagkholā flows above Muktinath. The division informed about the flooding in the downstream area due to the burst lake in Kagkholā.

The Flood Forecasting Section stated that the height difference created by the increase and decrease in water levels on this surface in Kagbeni indicates that the flood occurred in the downstream area. The division considers that the downstream area experienced flooding as the water accumulated in the Kagkholā area, which is known for lake bursts. The downstream area experienced flooding due to the increase in water levels.

Based on the same water level data, the division also confirmed that flooding occurred in the low-lying areas of the downstream region due to the burst lake. According to the division, the area above the lake in Kagkholā accumulated water, leading to the formation of a lake. As the lake burst, the division indicated that flooding occurred in the downstream area as well.

After the Kagbeni region was flooded, with the support of the Nepali Army, the locals were relocated to the safe area near the Kagbeni-Muktinath road section, which is about 500 meters above Kagbeni. The Army has been involved in rescue work in that area since early Monday morning.

According to the Army, so far, there has been no human casualty or physical damage. However, in the flood-affected area, 31 houses/hotels, the solid bridge on the Jomsom road, the Jholunge bridge, 2 vehicles, and 3 electric poles have been washed away.

The Army has informed that in the affected area, reaching all locations has become difficult due to immediate flooding, and extensive data collection efforts are underway.