Kathmandu, Sept 6: The devastating flood from the Chinese side has caused extensive damage to roads and bridges along the Trishuli River and surrounding areas.
According to the Department of Roads, around 55 kilometres of roads and 35 bridges in Dhading, Nuwakot and Rasuwa have been completely damaged. The preliminary estimate puts the losses at around Rs 30 billion.
The government has accelerated emergency reconstruction and Bailey bridge installation to reopen blocked highways and strategic roads. The Department of Roads is prioritising new tracks along damaged sections and Bailey bridges where existing bridges were swept away.
At Devighat in Bidur, Nuwakot, the Nepal Army has begun installing a Bailey bridge to restore transport after the flood destroyed the existing bridge. Department spokesperson Shubharaj Neupane said the department is handling the civil works, while the Army is carrying out the technical installation.
A 60 metre Acrow bridge is being installed over the Tadi Khola. The August 26 Bhotekoshi flood swept away a roughly 55 metre concrete bridge at the site. The new bridge is being installed on its existing abutments and is expected to improve access towards Rasuwa once completed.
Bailey bridges are also planned at Trishuli Bazaar and Betrabati, where bridges of around 48 metres will be required. Of the 35 damaged bridges, the department plans to install Bailey bridges at three locations initially to temporarily reopen the Galchhi, Trishuli, Syafrubesi and Rasuwagadhi road corridor.
At Syafrubesi in Rasuwa, a 75 metre Bailey bridge is needed after the existing bridge was washed away. Although the department and Army have Bailey bridge materials available, transport remains difficult because the lower road sections are still blocked. Installation will begin once the route is reopened.
China has also provided Bailey bridge components at the Korala border. The government plans to transport them to Rasuwagadhi or other damaged sites as needed.
Meanwhile, authorities are preparing an alternative road to Betrabati because three to four metres of mud and debris have buried the existing road. Work has been delayed in Bidur Municipality Ward 10 after locals demanded compensation for using farmland to open a temporary track. The department says it could connect the road to Betrabati within two days if the dispute is resolved.
At Krishnabhir along the Prithvi Highway, workers are cutting into the hillside to create a new track after the flood damaged the road. A 252 metre temporary track has already been opened for machinery, with vehicle movement expected after further repairs.
Repair work is also underway at Parewabhir in Gajuri Rural Municipality 2, Dhading, where traffic has been completely halted to facilitate repairs.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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