A landslide-driven flash flood on the Budhi Gandaki River in Gorkha district has severed sections of the Manaslu Circuit, one of Nepal's most sought-after teahouse treks. The swollen river swept away houses and bridges and damaged a hydropower plant. No deaths have been confirmed, though some farmers are still missing.
The timing is rough for trekkers. The Budhi Gandaki drains the Manaslu massif and the trail follows it north, so the flood broke the route in multiple places. The Chum Valley is currently cut off entirely after its bridges went downstream. The Manaslu Conservation Area Project says all trekkers on the route are safe, and helicopters have been flying some tourists back to Kathmandu.
Operators are pulling the plug for the season. The Mountain Company, for example, has cancelled its Manaslu and Tsum Valley treks for autumn on advice from local authorities, and is rerouting clients to Upper Mustang plus a crossing of Thorong La, the high point of the Annapurna Circuit. That pass was itself shut for weeks after early snow, but it has now reopened — a track has been stamped through the snow, and sunny weather has consolidated it enough to lower avalanche risk. The road lower down near Chame is washed out, though the walking trail there has been repaired and is passable.
Expect crowds on Plan B. With Manaslu off the table, many trekkers are shifting to the Annapurna Circuit, which one operator predicts will be busier than ever for the coming weeks. If you had your heart set on Manaslu this autumn, either postpone or book Annapurna permits and accommodation early.
There's also damage beyond Manaslu. The approach to the David Lama Bivouac shelter at Upper Jabo on the Tashi Lapcha Pass — the tough link between the Rolwaling and Khumbu regions on the Great Himalaya Trail — has lost footholds on a steep rocky stretch, and the fixed ropes there are damaged. That's a serious hazard for anyone hauling packs or climbing gear across, so this route should only be attempted after checking in with operators and local tourism offices for current conditions.
The bigger picture: it's been a brutal few weeks for Nepal's mountains. This flood follows August's glacial lake outburst in the Langtang Lirung area, and the damage comes just as the monsoon exits and peak trekking season kicks off. That season now runs through the end of November, and conditions are changing week to week — sometimes day to day.
The practical takeaway if you're trekking in Nepal this autumn: confirm your route with your operator before flying, build in flexibility, and treat any itinerary as provisional until you're on the ground. Trails are reopening and repairs are happening fast, but a few areas — the Manaslu region in particular — will need much longer.
First reported by ExplorersWeb.
