Kathmandu, Oct. 11 -- A landslide that may have blocked a tributary is a possible cause of flash flooding in the Budhi Gandaki river, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology's Flood Forecasting Section said on Sunday.

Binod Parajuli, a hydrologist at the section, said satellite images showed a large landslide near Chumchet in Chumnubri Rural Municipality, Gorkha district. The landslide is believed to have occurred on Saturday. "We are examining satellite images. A large landslide is visible around Chumchet. It appears to have occurred yesterday. The flooding may have been triggered when a blocked tributary of the Budhi Gandaki suddenly released water," Parajuli told Kantipur.

Residents have suggested that an avalanche may have occur...