Heavy rainfall last week triggered landslides and floods in Parbat district, Gandaki Province, displacing 300 families and completely destroying 170 houses. Another 131 houses sustained partial damage across the district.
Six of Parbat’s seven local levels were affected by the disaster, which occurred between September 27 and 29, 2026. Jaljala Rural Municipality was the hardest hit, with 171 families displaced, 113 houses damaged, and 58 more at risk of landslides, according to the District Administration Office, the local government body.
Other local levels also reported significant destruction. Two houses were destroyed in Kushma Municipality, 20 in Falebas Municipality, nine in Bihadi Rural Municipality, two in Mahashila Rural Municipality, and 15 in Modi Rural Municipality.
Widespread Damage to Infrastructure
The landslides and floods caused extensive damage beyond residential properties. Five school buildings, an agricultural farm, a temple, a health centre, and a police station were all affected. Key transportation infrastructure also suffered, including the Maldhunga Bridge along the Mid-Hill Highway and a suspension bridge connecting Parbat and Baglung districts.
Rural roads in the district remain blocked. Ganga Bahadur Chhetri, Chief District Officer (CDO) of Parbat, stated on September 29, 2026, that it would take a few more days to reopen the Falebas-Bihadi and Lungkhudeurali-Huwas roads along the Kaligandaki Corridor. Efforts are underway to open a temporary route at Nayapul, with one-way traffic expected within a day or two, he added.
Regarding the Maldhunga Bridge, CDO Chhetri reported on September 29, 2026, that while the method of reconstruction – whether a ‘Bailey bridge’ or other technology – is yet to be finalised, initiatives are being taken to restore the bridge as quickly as possible. However, reports on September 30, 2026, indicated that the bridge connecting Parbat and Baglung would still take several days to become operational.
Relief Efforts Underway
Local administration, local governments, the Nepal Red Cross Society, and other social organisations are providing immediate relief to the affected families. Supplies include tents, food, utensils, clothing, and hygiene and medical provisions.
While no human casualties were reported among the 300 displaced families in Parbat, the broader Gandaki Province experienced a more severe impact. By September 28, 2026, floods, landslides, and avalanches following four days of continuous rainfall had claimed 16 lives and left 10 people missing across the province.
In a related development, Speaker Dolprasad Aryal announced on October 2, 2026, that a parliamentary session where the Prime Minister was scheduled to answer questions was postponed due to the Bhote Koshi floods, with the government’s focus shifting to relief and rescue operations. Speaker Aryal also plans to raise Nepal’s disaster and climate change issues at the 153rd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Background and Unanswered Questions
The recent heavy rainfall led to the Kaligandaki River experiencing its highest flow of the monsoon season. This surge in water levels, combined with increased landslide risk in highland areas due to continuous rain, resulted in widespread flooding along riverbanks. The government had previously urged citizens in high-risk areas to remain safe. On September 27, 2026, the Kaligandaki floods swept away 25 houses in Farse, Jaljala Rural Municipality-8, Parbat, though without human casualties.
As relief efforts continue, questions remain regarding the long-term rehabilitation and resettlement plans for the 300 displaced families in Parbat. The detailed quantity and types of relief materials provided by various organisations are also not yet fully clear. Furthermore, additional information on the current status and repair timeline for the damaged suspension bridge connecting Parbat and Baglung is still awaited.
