Flood sweeps bridge, 15 tourists stranded

POKHARA, July 10: Fifteen tourists have been stranded after a flashflood originating from an ice chunk that fell from the mountain on Tuesday swept away a suspension bridge along the trekking route, which was used by trekkers to reach Annapurna Base Camp through Kimrungkhola and Chhomrong in Ghandruk VDC-9 of Kaski district.



The major trekking route to Annapurna base camp has been damaged by the flash flood. [break]



According to Bidur Kuinkel, Ghandruk office chief of Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), “There is an alternative route,” said Kuinkel. “But, the alternative route is very long. The tourists have been stranded in Chhomrung.”



About 150 families living in Kimrung, Bhurjung and Sinuwa at Ghandruk-9 are facing difficulties reaching other villages after the flood, according to Kuinkel. “Their villages have not been cut off fully,” he said. “But, they now have to walk for another two hours to reach the main Ghandruk bazaar.”



Kaski district police Chief SP Sailesh Thapa said the flood has not caused any human causality.

Related story

690 tourists stranded in Kathmandu and Manthali due to bad weat...