KATHMANDU: Trekking to the Manaslu and Larkya Pass routes has been suspended until further notice after a pre-dawn flood swept away two bridges in Chumnubri Rural Municipality in Gorkha.

The flood struck Therang Khola in Namrung, Chumnubri Rural Municipality-4, at around 3:30am on Sunday, washing away an iron bridge connecting wards 4 and 2 and a suspension bridge on the route towards Namrung forest.

The District Administration Office, Gorkha has urged trekkers preparing to embark on, or already travelling along, the Manaslu and Larkya Pass routes not to undertake or continue their journeys until another notice is issued.

The destruction has disrupted important crossings in the remote northern part of Gorkha, where trekkers depend on the bridges to move between settlements and sections of the trail.

The Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) has separately advised trekkers to delay trips to the Manaslu region for a few days following heavy rainfall and flooding.

According to TAAN, the iron bridge over Therang Khola connecting wards 4 and 2 and the suspension bridge on the route to Namrung from Ghap were destroyed. It has recommended that trekkers postpone journeys to Manaslu Base Camp and Larkya Pass.

The Tsum Valley route has also been affected. TAAN said a landslide in the Chaurikharka area had disrupted the trail and urged trekkers to wait a few days before planning trips to Tsum Valley.

The district administration has also asked residents, trekkers and others to immediately inform the nearest security unit, police post or local government of any disaster or unusual situation.