Government Building Collapses Into River in Western Nepal

A government building in western Nepal fell into the Daram River on Sunday, 27 September, after severe floodwaters destabilized the land beneath it. Officials evacuated the facility prior to the collapse, preventing any casualties. The destruction underscores an ongoing weather crisis across the country that has claimed dozens of lives in recent days.

Emergency Evacuation and Collapse

Witnesses recorded footage of the public facility in Baglung teetering on an eroded edge before falling into the surging Daram River. Local authorities took action before the ground gave way completely. According to Tej Thapa, a local ward chair, staff managed to retrieve essential documents and office computers from the building before it was destroyed.

Broader Flood and Landslide Impact

While no one was hurt in the Baglung building collapse, intense rainfall has triggered devastating floods and landslides across Nepal. The country’s national disaster agency confirmed that recent severe weather events have caused at least 27 fatalities nationwide.

Monsoon Season Casualties

The latest wave of destruction comes just weeks after a massive flash flood along the border between Nepal and Tibet. That disaster caused approximately 1,400 deaths and left thousands of individuals missing, severely overwhelming regional emergency response capacity.

Background

Nepal is exceptionally prone to landslides and sudden river flooding during its annual monsoon season. Swelling rivers frequently undermine steep, fragile terrain, placing riverbank infrastructure and residential communities at elevated risk of catastrophic soil erosion and structural collapse.