KATHMANDU – Five people have been reported missing after a flash flood in the Budhi Gandaki River swept away 65 houses in Gorkha and Dhading districts of central Nepal on Sunday morning, police said.

"Five people have been reported missing from Gorkha district. We are still collecting the reports," Netra Bahadur Karki, spokesperson at the Armed Police Force, told Xinhua, adding that the flood also destroyed two motorable bridges and two suspension bridges.

The flood was triggered by a landslide at Chumanubri rural municipality in Gorkha district, which temporarily blocked the Budhi Gandaki River. The river later broke through the landslide blockage, causing a sudden flow of water, mud and debris that damaged settlements along its banks, the Nepal Army said in a statement.

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The army said it has airlifted 36 people to safer locations following the disaster.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing, security forces said.