SINDHUPALCHOWK, July 22: After floods in Bhotekoshi River cut off various northern settlements in Sindhupalchowk district, authorities have taken initiative to open a new road track to connect those settlements with the outer world.
Six northern VDCs of the district have remained isolated since the past two weeks due to disruption of road links and communications caused by monsoon-triggered flood and landslides. About 26 kilometer Bahrabise-Tatopani road section has remained obstructed, isolating those VDCs.
String of disasters curtail Upper Bhotekoshi's capacity
At present, Charikot-based Divisional Road Office is attempting to open new route with the assistance from under-construction mid-Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project. The project has deployed its equipment to aid the endeavor.
“We plan to connect the flood-hit areas with China through the new road link,” said Ashok Tiwari, chief engineer of the divisional office. “We are braving rains and landslides to dig road track. The continuous landslides and erosions caused by Bhotekoshi River have made the work very difficult for us,” he informed, adding that they aim to complete the work within two weeks.
According to the divisional office, erosions triggered by the flood have caused damage at 18 places throughout Bahrabise-Tatopani road section. Chief engineer Tiwari informed that the new road link would bypass the eroded areas and restore connectivity.
