KATHMANDU, August 2: A massive flood that occurred in Melamchi following heavy rain on Saturday swept away 46 houses and two bridges.
The flood which carried mud, stones and wood, have caused further physical damage in the Helambu area.
UPDATE: Melamchi flood sweeps away 17 more houses
Sindhupalchowk Police Chief Rajan Adhikari said that heavy damage has been reported in Helambu Rural Municipality, the source of the flood. According to him, the flood washed away 22 concrete and 24 mud houses in Helambu. These houses were damaged by the previous floods. "The flood has washed away the ‘Rato Pul’ of Chanaute connecting Melamchi-Helambu," Adhikari informed Republica. “The road connection with Helambu has been cut off after the bridge collapsed.”
The truss bridge, which was saved from the previous floods, was washed away on Sunday morning. On Saturday night, the Melamchi River flowed over the concrete bridge. During the previous floods on the Melamchi-Helambu corridor, this was the only bridge spared by the flood. Another flood occurred in the River as efforts were being made to repair the bridge with embankment. The floods have caused more damage in Chanaute Bazaar, police said.
Most of the houses damaged by the previous floods were empty. Only a few houses were inhabited by locals after the mud and stones brought by the floods were removed. There was no loss of life as many houses were empty and the locals left their houses on time. The flood also washed away the suspension bridge connecting Gyalthum Bazaar, said an SP Adhikari. According to him, the floods have covered two other suspension bridges. The extent of the damage to these bridges is still not known as the Melamchi River currently flows over the bridge.
