Kathmandu, Sept 13: The exceptional flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa on August 26, coupled with continuous heavy rainfall across the country, has caused extensive damage to roads and transport infrastructure.
The flood severely damaged the Trishuli Highway linking Rasuwa and Nuwakot, while erosion by the Trishuli River at Krishnabhir along the Prithvi Highway, a lifeline connecting Kathmandu with the rest of the country, has completely disrupted traffic.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has estimated that Rs 73.34 billion will be needed to reconstruct and restore flood-damaged roads and bridges. The estimate is based on the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment conducted by the authority and other concerned agencies.
69 km of roads damaged
According to the latest assessment, floods and landslides have damaged around 69 kilometres of roads across the country, either fully or partially.
A total of 37 motorable bridges have also been affected. Of these, 33 were completely washed away, and four suffered partial damage. Around 68 suspension bridges in flood-affected areas were also damaged, with 53 destroyed.
The scale of damage has left the government facing a huge reconstruction bill to restore the disrupted transport network.
Major highways remain badly affected
The Prithvi Highway and Tribhuvan Highway, both key routes linking Kathmandu with other parts of the country, suffered major damage.
At Krishnabhir on the Muglin Malekhu section of the Prithvi Highway, river erosion washed away the lower section of the road, completely halting traffic. Authorities are working around the clock to open and widen a new 250-metre track along the hillside. An alternative route through Fishing and Benighat bridges is also being developed.
Traffic at Shital Bazaar is currently operating on a single lane. Landslides near Nagdhunga and Pataleban have also restricted the Tribhuvan Highway to one-way traffic. Emergency traffic has been allowed through the under-construction Nagdhunga Tunnel to ease congestion.
Three alternative routes are being used following the Prithvi Highway disruption, including routes through Abu Khaireni, Arughat, Salyantar and Dhadingbesi.
Restoration efforts underway
Local roads in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading are also being repaired. Traffic has resumed on the Galchhi Devighat Trishuli section after mud was cleared near Thuli Khola. Repair work is underway in Ratmate, while vehicles are operating on one lane at Kolphu Bridge.
Of the 10-kilometre Bidur-Betrawati section, 9.2 kilometres have reopened. The remaining 800 metres were completely washed away, and a new track is being constructed despite landslides and marshy ground.
At Devighat in Nuwakot, an Acrow bridge has already been installed at the site of the destroyed bridge. Five of 20 repairable suspension bridges are currently being repaired.
In the Chilime Hydropower area of Rasuwa, where the road network has been completely severed, the Nepal Army is using helicopters to transport construction materials and install a temporary ropeway.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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