Gorkha/Nepal, Oct. 11 -- Budhi Gandaki flash flood swept away several houses in Nepal's Gorkha district early on Sunday, prompting authorities to warn downstream communities to move to higher ground and avoid the river.

No deaths or injuries had been reported in the initial official assessment. District officials were seeking further information from remote settlements, where access and communication remained difficult.

Gorkha Chief District Officer Dharmendra Kumar Mishra said authorities received information about a major flood at around 4.35 am. Preliminary reports indicated that five to seven houses built near the riverbed at Jagat had been washed away, while additional damage was feared farther downstream.

The flood reportedly des...