On 15 June 2021, a sudden flood surged down the Melamchi river in Sindhupalchok, north-east of Kathmandu. A landslide had dammed the river high in the mountains; when the dam burst, debris-laden water swept through Melamchi Bazaar and settlements in Helambu, destroying hundreds of houses and bridges and damaging the Melamchi water project.
In short: a flood on the Melamchi river on 15 June 2021 killed at least 11 people and left about 25 missing, destroying hundreds of homes in Melamchi and Helambu.
Damage
Hundreds of houses were destroyed, several bridges in Helambu and Melamchi were swept away, and the Melamchi drinking water project, built to supply Kathmandu, was badly damaged.
Helambu today
The Helambu trek has since reopened and is one of the best treks near Kathmandu. See our Helambu trek and treks near Kathmandu.