MELAMCHI, August 30: The renovation of Melamchi-Helambu road section has fallen uncertain with the continuous land erosion by the flood-fed Melamchi river.
Recurring floods and subsequent soil erosion have frequently halted road traffic despite multiple efforts to resume vehicular movement along the road which was devastated by the flood in mid-June.
Citizens residing in the upper belt of Melamchi have been facing trouble as vehicular movement continues to remain disrupted for months. The construction of a bridge has also been impeded due to lack of road, shared Helambu Rural Municipality Chairperson Neema Gyaljen Sherpa.
Melamchi's Rs 51 billion investment at risk
“Almost all works of the bridge construction would have been completed by now. The transportation of raw materials was a big problem due to the absence of roads,” he added.
The recent flood has also affected the rural municipality’s plan to complete the construction of temporary housing and shift the landslide affected population to the safer locations within Dashain. Due to incessant rain and recurring floods, the human settlements from Helambu to Sipaghat are at high risk.
Melamchi mayor Dambar Aryal said people living in vulnerable settlements were asked to relocate themselves to safer places and take necessary precautions. “We have mobilized all possible mechanisms to control the river and bring the road damaged by the flood into operation. So far, millions of rupees have been invested for this, but our investment and efforts have failed to yield any concrete results”, he added.
The incessant rain since last Friday has put houses, makeshift bridges and three schools located from Timbu of Helambu to Melamchi-11 bazaar at risk. Hundreds of ropanis of fertile land are being eroded in the area due to the natural disasters.
According to the data maintained by the District Police Office, the floods have inflicted severe damages to 272 cemented houses, 185 non-cemented houses, 66 sheds/huts, 52 other structures, seven cemented bridges and 15 suspension bridges in the district this year.
(RSS)
