Concrete wall constructed in Kagbeni to control flood

MYAGDI, July 11: A concrete wall has been constructed in Baragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality-4, Kagbeni of Mustang, to control the river that was devastated by flooding.

The flood that occurred in Kagkhola on August 13, 2023, damaged 14 public buildings and 50 houses, including roads, motorable bridges, suspension bridges, monasteries, temples, hospices, community buildings, police station buildings, embankments, and more in Kagbeni.

The Soil and Watershed Management Office, Parbat, has built a concrete wall on the riverbank to control the floodwaters of Kagkhola. Diwakar Paudel, head of the Soil and Watershed Management Office, Parbat, stated that a 51-meter concrete wall has been constructed on the bank of Kagkhola with a budget of Rs 3.34 million.

"The Gandaki provincial government allocated a budget of Rs 3.5 million for the Kagbeni River Control Plan, but upon technical inspection, it was found that 160,000 less was paid," he said. "The upper part of the four-meter-high wall with a 1.8-meter-wide foundation has a width of 55 centimeters."

Chairman of the Consumer Committee, Khyamcho Gurung, mentioned that the wall has helped control flooding in Chhopten Gumba and the settlement of Kagbeni.

Efforts have been made to return Kagbeni to its old rhythm by managing the flood and collecting labor and financial support of more than Rs 10 million from the rural municipality, community, security agencies, and donors.

The Kagkhola, which was eroded by the flood and entered the settlement, has been diverted back to its old stream. A temporary bridge has been built to facilitate traffic. They have also constructed a place of worship by diverting the flood.

Rinjin Gurung, chairman of Baragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality, said that there is a need to build more concrete walls to control the river.