MANANG, Sept 29: Authorities have begun to clear the Marsyangdi River blocked by rocks, gravel and mud at Ghattekhola following incessant rainfall on Sunday.
Assistant Chief District Officer Krishna Prasad Paudel said the river has been partially diverted and is flowing through a new channel. Excavators and other locally available equipment are being used to clear the blockage, while preparations are underway to break large rocks, he said.
The blockage has created a lake-like pool, with some houses submerged after the river changed its course above a bridge.
Marsyangdi River crosses danger level
Chame Rural Municipality Chairperson Lokendra Bahadur Ghale said clearing the river using locally available resources could allow displaced residents to return home soon. However, he cautioned that blasting the rocks could increase risks along the riverbanks.
Officials are also studying whether controlled blasting could be used to restore the river's original flow without causing further damage, Poudel said.
Floods and landslides have also disrupted electricity and drinking water supplies, telephone and internet services, and road connectivity in the area. Mud and water have entered houses in settlements around Manang Ngisang Rural Municipality-4, Humde.
The disruption to electricity supply has been compounded by damage to the powerhouse of a micro-hydropower project at Sabjekhola.
The same Ghattekhola, Thado Khola and Marsyangdi River areas had caused significant physical damage in Manang during floods in 2078 BS.
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