A flash flood hit the Manaslu region on September 6, 2026, near Namrung in Gorkha district, causing serious damage along the Budhigandaki and Therang rivers. The flood swept away the main suspension bridge over the Budhigandaki, damaged another bridge, and destroyed four homes and two micro-hydropower plants.
Following the incident, the District Administration Office in Gorkha temporarily suspended travel along the Manaslu Circuit Trek and Larkya La route while the area was assessed and access was made safer. The Manaslu Conservation Area Project also issued an advisory asking trekkers to avoid the affected routes.
The situation has since changed. Local villagers stepped in and built a temporary bridge to restore the trail connection, allowing trekkers to cross the affected section again. As a result, the Manaslu Circuit Trek is now open, although conditions around the flood-affected areas may still be different from normal.
If you are planning to trek Manaslu this season, it is still a good idea to check the latest local conditions and trail updates before setting out, especially around Namrung and the damaged river crossings.
Quick Answer
The Manaslu Circuit Trek and Larkya Pass are now open for trekking after a temporary bridge was constructed by locals to bypass the damage caused by the September 6, 2026 flash flood near Namrung, Gorkha. While initial travel was suspended by the District Administration Office (DAO) Gorkha and MCAP following the washout of two bridges, local efforts have restored crossing access. No human casualties were reported during the incident.
What Happened in the Manaslu Region?
Early Sunday morning, September 6, 2026, a flash flood hit the Budhigandaki and Therang rivers inside the Manaslu Conservation Area. This wasn't your average monsoon swell either.
Gorkha's Assistant Chief District Officer, Netra Prasad Sharma, explained what triggered it. A pile of debris had blocked the Therang Stream close to where it originates, and once that blockage broke apart, the trapped water rushed downstream all at once, straight into Namrung, Ward No. 4 of Chumanuwri Rural Municipality.
The flood swept away two bridges, including the main suspension bridge over the Budhigandaki. That bridge is basically the backbone of the trekking trail in that section. It also destroyed four homes and knocked out two micro-hydropower plants, which means the area lost power and communication almost overnight.
Here's the good news, though: no human casualties have been reported. Locals moved to higher ground before the water hit, and both the district police and administration confirmed this. Honestly, that's the one bright spot in an otherwise messy situation.
Manaslu Circuit & Larkya La Pass Status: Re-opened or Closed?
The Manaslu Circuit and Larkya Pass Trek is now open again!
Following the September 6, 2026 flash flood that washed away bridges over the Budhigandaki and Therang rivers, the District Administration Office in Gorkha and MCAP initially halted all trekking traffic. However, to resolve the difficulties faced due to the missing bridges, a temporary bridge has now been built through a joint effort between local villagers and the police.
Deployed from the Larke Area Police Office, a police team worked alongside residents utilizing local materials to construct this temporary crossing. With this structure in place to serve until alternative arrangements are made, the trail is accessible once more, allowing adventurers to safely resume their journeys toward Larkya La.
Official Closure Notice: What the Government Actually Said
The Notice Says:
This notice is published for the information of all concerned that on Bhadra 21, 2083 (approx. September 6, 2026) at around 3:30 AM, a flash flood occurred in the Therang Stream located in Namrung, Chumanuwri Rural Municipality-4. The flood washed away the iron bridge connecting Ward No. 4 and Ward No. 2 of Chumanuwri Rural Municipality, as well as the suspension bridge over the Budhigandaki River along the trail leading from the forest towards Namrung. Therefore, anyone preparing for or currently on a trek along the Manaslu Trekking Route or the Larkya Pass Trekking Route is requested not to undertake or allow trekking until another notice is published.
If any disaster or abnormal situation arises, or if information regarding such a situation is received, everyone is requested to inform the nearest security unit/police post, local authority, and the following contact numbers as soon as possible:
- District Administration Office, Gorkha: 9856057777, 9856057778, 9856057780
- District Emergency Operation Center, Gorkha: 1234, 064430200, 9867173694
- District Police Office, Gorkha: 100, 9856055555, 9856061190
- Armed Police Force, Nepal, Gorkha: 9851272233
Two separate authorities confirmed this closure, and that's what tells you it's serious, not just a local precaution.
District Administration Office (DAO), Gorkha
The DAO, Gorkha, issued an urgent notice on September 6, 2026, suspending travel on the Manaslu Circuit Trek and the Larkya La route until further notice. This isn't a rumor. We checked the DAO Gorkha official government website (daogorkha.moha.gov.np) directly, and the notice is listed right there in the update feed, dated September 6, telling people not to undertake trekking or hiking in the area.
The official advisory initially instructed anyone getting ready for the trek or currently out on the trail to wait until a new update was released, but with the recent construction of a temporary local bridge, access has been restored for the season.
Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP)
MCAP, the office responsible for issuing regional permits, initially released an advisory asking trekkers, operators, and residents to delay travel and avoid damaged bridges, unstable riverbanks, and other hazardous sections until the trail could be properly inspected. They also urged people to coordinate with local authorities before moving through the affected area.
However, following the successful construction of a temporary bridge by local villagers, the route is now open and accessible. While the initial official advisories from both DAO Gorkha and MCAP reflected a full route suspension with no fixed reopening timeline, the completion of this local crossing means travelers can now move through the area safely. Be sure to check with your operator or local security personnel for the latest on-the-ground conditions before setting out.
Don't Confuse This With the August 26 Rasuwa Flood
This part trips people up a lot, so let's clear it up.
There was a much bigger, far more devastating flood on August 26, 2026, in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems near Rasuwa district, close to the Nepal-China border. That disaster hit the Langtang Valley, Tamang Heritage, and Gosaikunda trekking routes hard and caused a serious loss of life along the Bhote Koshi corridor, with search and recovery efforts still ongoing in the weeks after.
This Manaslu Gorkha flash flood is a separate, smaller event. Different river system (Budhigandaki and Therang, not Bhote Koshi or Trishuli), different district, different date. If you've read somewhere that Manaslu was affected by "the big Nepal flood," that's likely referring to the August Rasuwa flood, not this one.
Two separate disasters, two separate regions. Only this one is currently closing the Manaslu trail.
Is the Tsum Valley Trek Closed Too?
No, not officially, at least not as of now. But that's not the same as saying it's completely unaffected.
The lower Manaslu trail and the Tsum Valley trek share the same approach route before splitting near Lokpa. Official notices from DAO Gorkha and MCAP only name the Manaslu Circuit and Larkya La specifically, so Tsum Valley hasn't been listed as closed. That said, since the affected area sits so close to that shared lower trail, I wouldn't just assume it's fine either. If your Tsum Valley trip is planned; confirm directly with your operator or check DAO Gorkha's notices yourself before assuming anything.
If you're weighing your options, our Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley trek itinerary is worth a look once things settle, since it covers both regions in one trip.
What to Do If You Have a Manaslu Trek Booked
Since local villagers and the police have successfully built a temporary bridge over the Therang Stream in Namrung, the route is open again. If your trip is coming up soon, here is the most practical way to handle it:
- Get in touch with your trekking operator right away: Let them check your specific dates against the current conditions and coordinate your travel plans around the newly established temporary crossing.
- Stay flexible with your journey: Even though the trail is accessible again via the temporary bridge set up by local residents and the Larke Area Police Office, mountain conditions require you to remain adaptable.
- Coordinate closely with local authorities: Stay in touch with your guides and local security units, as the temporary bridge serves until permanent arrangements are made.
- Consider an alternative if your schedule demands it: The Annapurna Circuit Trek runs through a completely separate river system (Marsyangdi and Kali Gandaki) that was unaffected by the flood, offering a high pass crossing (Thorong La) or a shorter itinerary option if you are short on time.
- Confirm your safety before heading out: Ensure your trekking agency and guides are fully aligned with the latest on-the-ground updates so you can resume your trek toward Larkya La safely.
Our Commitment to Your Safety
We have our guides on the ground and have verified the conditions directly with them to ensure your safety. While we strictly maintain that government suspensions must be respected, local villagers and the Larke Area Police Office have built a temporary bridge over the Therang Stream in Namrung, making the route safely passable again.
If anything closes or another suspension happens, you are always free to contact us.
- Stay in touch: Reach out to Nepal Gateway Trekking team if you need updates or need to adjust your plans.
- Check your travel insurance: Make sure your policy covers high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation before committing to new dates.
Final Thoughts
While the initial closure announced by DAO Gorkha and MCAP was fully backed by official government notices rather than internet rumors, the situation has now evolved.
Seasonal floods are a known reality in the Himalayas, and local authorities handle them with proven resilience. Now that the temporary crossing is in place and verified by our on-the-ground guides, Nepal Gateway Trekking is ready to help you resume your journey safely. If any further suspensions occur, we will keep you instantly updated, feel free to contact us anytime to check your dates or review your travel insurance coverage for high-altitude trekking.
Still figuring out what to do with your booking? Reach out to our team and we'll help you rework your dates, switch to a safer alternative, or hold your spot until Manaslu reopens.
FAQs
Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek permanently closed?
No. This is a temporary suspension caused by flood damage to bridges, not a permanent shutdown. There's no confirmed reopening date yet, and it depends on how fast temporary or permanent bridges get rebuilt and inspected.
Why is the Manaslu Circuit Trek closed right now?
A flash flood on September 6, 2026, destroyed the main suspension bridge over the Budhigandaki River near Namrung. Without that bridge, the trail is effectively cut off, but the locals and police have made temporary bridge. Therefore the trek is opened.
Is Manaslu Circuit Trek open now?
Yes, the trek is open now as of Sep 8 2026, it was currently suspended. Before this, both the District Administration Office in Gorkha and the Manaslu Conservation Area Project confirmed the closure on September 6, 2026.
Are there injuries from the Manaslu flood 2026?
No human casualties have been reported. Both the Assistant Chief District Officer of Gorkha and local police confirmed this, since residents got to higher ground before the flood hit.
Can I still trek Tsum Valley after the Manaslu closure?
It's not officially named as closed, but it shares an approach trail with the affected Manaslu route near Lokpa. Confirm current access with your operator or check DAO Gorkha's notices before assuming it's unaffected.
What is the alternative to the Manaslu Circuit Trek right now?
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is the closest match in experience, a full circuit trek with a high pass crossing at Thorong La, and it runs through a completely different river system that hasn't been touched by this flood.
When will the Manaslu Circuit Trek reopen?
The route is now open. Local villagers have successfully built a temporary bridge to cross the river, restoring access to the trekking route.
