Rescue helicopters race to flood-hit Nepal villages as 5 reported missing

Military rescuers reached communities along the Budhi Gandaki River on Monday, a day after flash flooding struck. They brought supplies and moved residents and visitors to safety.

Gorkha district administrator Dharmendra Kumar Mishra said more than 200 people were evacuated. Nepal’s disaster authority said nine foreign nationals were among those rescued and taken to nearby towns.

One rescued visitor, Chinese trekker Weiwei Zhao, had turned back with a companion because of heavy snow. She described hearing a loud sound before learning what had happened.

Officials said an early warning helped most people get to higher ground before the flood. Road-accessible communities received supplies by truck, while helicopters served more isolated villages.

Social media footage showed floodwaters carrying away homes and sheds. Authorities had not established how many villages were affected; at least five people were reported missing.