KATHMANDU, June 29: In the past, Jitu Bharti of Duwachaur, Melamchi-7, used to carry goods easily. But after recent floods damaged the roads and bridges in the area, Bharti now has to cross the rivers and rivulets in the area, carrying his belongings. He said that the cost of goods has risen due to the rise in the transportation cost.

Reconstruction started in Melamchi and the surrounding areas that were badly hit by rain-triggered floods and landslides last year. Incessant monsoon rainfall since June this year has caused more damages to the structures such as roads and bridges. The day-to-day life of the locals has been largely affected after the temporary roads and bridges were either washed away or severely damaged by this year’s floods.

The people of Melamchi Municipality-7 and 8, Pachpokhari Municipality-1 and 2 and Helambu Municipality-2 and 3 are bearing the brunt of the natural calamities. It would take about 15 minutes to reach Melamchi market via Indrawati bridge and Fatteko bridge before the bridges and roads were damaged. But it takes a longer time with the roads and bridges either washed away or damaged. Locals reach the market in 45 minutes or an hour on foot. The road is not easy to walk on. It has become difficult to walk on muddy roads.

Locals of Pachpokhari-1 and 2, Melamchi-7 and 8, Helambu Rural Municipality-1, 2, 3 and 4 used to go through Khatte. Since it got washed away, they went through Chanautte. Residents of two wards of Melamchi, two wards of Helambu, and two wards of Paachpokhari are also traveling through Chanautte bridge.

In Helambu, the army had recently built a bridge in Chanautte. Local Hasta Pandit said that it was difficult to travel in the area above the bridge. He said that there was difficulty when he was sick and when he had to transport groceries. He added that the government should work to solve this problem instantly.

Ganganath Bhandari of Helambu-9 said that he hasn’t been able to sleep well since the start of June. He and his family are worried about the rain water getting into their house. He said, “I am living here since the house did not collapse last year. But I am afraid that something might happen one day.” Temporary structures built on the banks of the Melamchi and Helambu rivers in Sindhupalchowk have been damaged by floods triggered by heavy rain.

Locals in the upper part of Melamchi and Helambu are living miserable lives after the floods of last year washed away concrete structures and bridges. Mayor of Melamchi Municipality, Aitaman Tamang said, “We are working on alternative roads.”

Sindhupalchowk, which is at high risk of natural calamities, lacks proper management of flood and landslides warning systems, disaster response plans and materials. The area above the Melamchi Drinking Water Project is still at risk. A study on this matter was conducted by the Asian Development Bank in coordination with the Ministry of Drinking Water.

Nima Galgen Sherpa, chairperson of Helambu Rural Municipality, said that preparations are going on and permanent houses for displaced people are being constructed. In this year's budget, the federal government has allocated funds for the construction of Melamchi's Fatte and Indravati Nid bridges.

The municipality expects that the life of the people will be easier with the completion of the bridge. Transportation has been blocked in areas like Indrawati, Helambu and Paachpokhari after the temporary bridge got damaged. Although the government has been raising the issue of alternative roads since last year, people's lives have not been easier since they have not been completed.

The road from Pul Bazaar to Ambathan was constructed by the Melamchi Drinking Water Project. As there will be no work before the rainy season, there is no immediate plan for road construction and maintenance. Project Information Officer Rajendra Prasad Pant said that the municipality is opening the road as it is a road used by the locals.

He said, “Municipalities are demanding plans and funds for the construction of roads. Even though a bridge was built after the Chanautte bridge got washed away last year, he said that it is important to understand whether vehicles can pass through the route.

For now, the project has stated that an alternative road is the only alternative to connect the road network in these municipalities. The work of opening the road to Ambathan via Sundarijal has progressed a bit.

The project has opened and upgraded the track in the current fiscal year for the construction of alternative roads. He said that the work will be started after getting the contract from the road department. Seven concrete bridges and 11 suspension bridges were washed away by the flood in Melamchi River in Sindhupalchowk last year in June. In Helambu, Melamchi and Panchpokhari, 551 houses were flooded and 5,400 ropanis of arable land was destroyed. The floods killed 26 people. Along with the Melamchi Drinking Water Project, 33 public structures were damaged.

The damaged structures could not be repaired last year and this year the rains have started damaging the roads and other structures. According to the District Administration Office, Sindhupalchowk, 338 of the homeless families received the first installment of housing grants last year. Chief District Officer Vedanidhi Khanal said that some amount has been sent to the accounts of 156 beneficiaries in Melamchi and 182 beneficiaries in Helambu. The process of coming to an agreement with the beneficiaries from the local bodies is underway.

(RSS)

 
• Melamchi
 
• flood-hit_area
 
• locals