Update (10:03 NST, October 3, 2026)
New reports indicate that the total estimated damage from the flash floods in Setibeni has significantly increased, with specific figures now available for Syangja district. In Parbat district alone, local business leader Reshamlal Neupane estimated damage at approximately Rs 100 million. For Syangja district, Ghanshyam Bhattarai, ward chair of Galyang Municipality-5, reported that property worth over Rs 150 million was destroyed, in addition to physical structures.
Local residents in Parbat reported that nine houses were swept away and approximately 50 homes were submerged, revising earlier figures. In Syangja, about 25 houses, both temporary and permanent, were swept away, and the market area of Galyang Municipality-5 was completely inundated, according to locals. Individual businesses also reported substantial losses, including a mobile shop with over Rs 3 million in damage and a hotelier, Umakant Neupane, who lost over Rs 4 million. Khimprasad Paudel, a wholesale shop owner, reported over Rs 5 million in goods swept away in Syangja.
Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal held discussions with local representatives on Ashoj 11 (October 4, 2026) regarding the rehabilitation of displaced citizens and the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure. During the meeting, it was decided to arrange temporary housing for displaced families and to immediately begin the reconstruction of damaged structures. Minister Lamsal committed to starting reconstruction work within the current month, with the process involving detailed damage assessments, budget allocation, and a tender process.
The Kaligandaki ‘A’ Hydropower Project, which had halted electricity production, was expected to resume operations from Ashoj 12 (BS), a day later than previously anticipated. Local levels and the Syangja District Administration Office have begun distributing food and clothes to flood victims. Additionally, the floods damaged local temples, rest houses, pedestrian paths leading to the Shaligram stone, as well as the Ramdi police post, Ramdi Sanskrit Gurukul, and Uttarwahini Gurukul.
Setibeni market, located at the confluence of Parbat, Syangja, and Gulmi districts, suffered an estimated Rs 100 million in flood damage early Sunday morning after locals ignored warnings of continuous heavy rainfall. The flash floods washed away a crucial motorable bridge connecting Syangja’s Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-7 Mirmire and Gulmi’s Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-1 Harmichaur, severely disrupting movement across the three districts.
The devastation occurred despite a prior warning issued on Ashoj 8, 2083 (October 1, 2026), predicting continuous heavy rainfall. Local residents in Setibeni had dismissed the warning, believing that the rising water levels in the Kaligandaki and Setikhola rivers would result in only a normal flood, similar to past experiences where high water levels would recede without significant damage. However, by midnight on Saturday (Ashoj 10, 2083 / October 3, 2026), the Setibeni police post, a local police unit, received information that the water surge in the upper reaches of the Kaligandaki River had dramatically increased, leading to the market’s inundation shortly after.
The floods caused extensive damage to infrastructure and businesses. The Setibeni police post itself was submerged, along with numerous shops selling groceries, electronic goods, utensils, and fancy items, as well as local hotels. Financial institutions, including Nesdo Samriddha Laghubitta and various cooperative societies, were also affected.
In Parbat district alone, 80 houses were damaged, with 25 homes in Farse, Jaljala Rural Municipality-8, swept away by the Kaligandaki River. As a precautionary measure, 26 households at risk of inundation in Setibeni were evacuated and relocated to a nearby school.
The Kaligandaki ‘A’ Hydropower Project in Mirmire, Syangja, temporarily halted electricity production after water levels rose significantly, prompting the opening of all its gates. The project is preparing to resume power generation from 10 AM on Sunday (Ashoj 11, 2083) as river water levels have begun to recede.
Authorities have urged residents in the flood-affected areas to remain vigilant. Efforts to clear landslides and repair damaged roads are underway, but continuous rainfall is hindering these operations, according to police.
The full extent of the damage in Syangja and Gulmi districts, including the total economic loss and the number of displaced or affected individuals, remains unknown. There have been no reports of human casualties (deaths or injuries) due to the floods. Further information regarding long-term rehabilitation plans for affected residents and businesses is also not yet available.
