Landslide blocks Kimrong Khola in Kaski and triggers flood warnings

Online Khabar English reported that a landslide has blocked the Kimrong Khola located in Annapurna Rural Municipality-11 within Kaski district. Local authorities have urged residents in nearby settlements to move toward safety following the obstruction. Police forces have deployed loudspeakers in Nayapul, Birethanti, and surrounding communities to alert inhabitants about potential hazards.

Details of the River Blockage

According to Kaski District Police Chief SP Navin Karki, locals reported that debris fell into the stream, causing the river to remain blocked for approximately six hours. The rural municipality chairperson, Bishnu Bahadur KC, noted that the blockage started around 6am. Authorities received information that water levels have since dropped significantly, leaving very little water flowing in the river bed for a duration of nearly three hours.

Officials warned that a serious problem could arise if the water trapped behind the debris suddenly breaks through the natural dam. The same waterway experienced a previous landslide blockage that triggered severe flooding. That past event cut local roads and washed away a bridge in Birethanti.

Impact on Local Infrastructure and Routes

• Road access to Ghandruk remains blocked due to prior structural damage.
• A previous flood in the Modi Khola on August 18 damaged roads in the Birethanti area.
• Transportation links affected by the Modi Khola flood have not yet fully reopened.

The Kimrong Khola flows directly through Annapurna Rural Municipality-11 before merging into the Modi Khola. From there, the Modi Khola continues through Parbat district and eventually empties into the Kali Gandaki River. Following the latest obstruction, police have extended their warnings to residents and travellers located near the Modi Khola as well.

What This Means for Your Travel Plans

Travellers in the Kaski region must exercise caution near waterways and heed all guidance issued by local law enforcement. Police have advised everyone to stay completely away from riverbanks and stream edges until further notice. Because roads leading toward popular hillside destinations remain obstructed from earlier seasonal weather events, reaching trailheads may require significant detours or delays.

If you are currently on a trek or preparing to depart from Pokhara toward routes intersecting with Birethanti, Nayapul, or Ghandruk, you should wait and confirm travel conditions directly with your operator. Local police continue to monitor the buildup of water behind the landslide debris to prevent sudden downstream emergencies.