April 21: A massive avalanche occurred on Mount Manaslu on Sunday morning, posing risk to the nearby Samagaun settlement in Chumanubri rural municipality-1 in north Gorkha.    
According to Dizen Lama, a local, the avalanche fell near Birendra Lake which lies on the lap of Mt Manaslu.    
The disaster occurred at 9:00 am on Sunday causing the lake’s water to overflow and gush into the Budhigandaki River. The development caused a significant risk of a flash flood in the Budhigandaki River. Authorities warned that the avalanche was massive and it could cause damage to the settlements on the banks of the river in the downstream areas.    
Chief of the District Police Office, Gorkha, Superintendent of Police Basudev Pathak, said, that a police squad swiftly left for the site after they were reported about the occurrence of the avalanche. The increased water level in theBudhigandaki River damaged a wooden bridge built over the river. An assessment by the police team from the site suggested no immediate risk of the further damages, said SP Pathak.    
Chief District Officer of Gorkha, Bhola Dahal, said everyone has been urged to remain alert due to the increased water flow in the Budhigandaki River and refrain from visiting the river area. Birendra Lake that lies on the foot of Mt Manaslu, the world's eighth highest peak measuring 8,163 meters, is considered the origin of the Budhigandaki River. -- RSS