DOLPA, Aug 17: Wooden bridges connecting the trekking routes to the Dolpa-based Phoksundo Lake were destroyed by floods on Friday morning.
According to Assistant Conservation Officer at Suligad based Shey-Phoksundo National Park, Gopal Khanal, the breakdown of three bridges over the Suligad River that lied near Simdak and Sumdaha areas obstructed the tourist trail the same day.
Trekking to Phoksundo Lake (photo feature)
The bridge was destroyed following the increase in the flow of river caused by three days of incessant rainfall. According to Khanal, many tourists were stranded on the way as the road was obstructed. He said a few staffers and security forces were deployed for monitoring and the maintenance of the bridge.
The national park informed Republica that they are seeking alternatives to open ways nearby the forest area in order for the people to reach the other side of the road. “It is tough to mend the bridge any time soon. Therefore, we are trying to find an alternative for now,” said Khanal.
A few days ago, the bridge located near the national park office over the Suligad bridge was also destroyed by flood on Tuesday. An additional number of bridges that were affected by the flood have posed safety threats in these touristic areas. The road obstruction has severely affected the mobility of not only tourists but also the locals in the area.
