On August 26, the water level of the Trishuli River reportedly rose by nearly 30 feet within just 30 minutes, sending a powerful torrent of water, rocks, mud and debris through the valley. Markets, homes and even three-storey buildings were swept away or buried under massive deposits of debris, leaving little time for residents to escape. The Trishuli is deeply important to Nepal, both culturally and economically. According to Hindu belief, the river is associated with Lord Shiva and the sacred Gosainkunda region. It also supports hydropower projects, communities and adventure tourism, including river rafting. The disaster began with a major surge in the Bhotekoshi River before the destructive flow and debris moved downstream into the Trishuli system. More than 500 houses in some riverside settlements were reportedly destroyed or buried. In Dhading, homes that survived the initial flood were left filled with mud reaching almost to the ceilings, destroying belongings and causing losses reportedly exceeding ₹1 crore in one case. Residents said the Trishuli was still flowing at nearly ten times its normal level, highlighting the scale of the catastrophe.
