Nepal’s government has requested temporary bridges from India and China to restore key road links cut off by the sudden floods that caused devastation in the country.
A glacial collapse that occurred on Aug. 26 on the Tibet-Nepal border triggered a massive flood in the Bhotekoshi River, causing devastation in Nepal’s Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Chitwan, and other districts. Riverside villages and small towns were completely destroyed. So far, bodies have been recovered from 1,355 people. The fate of about 5,000 missing people, including 589 foreigners, is still unknown. A total of 13,396 people have been rescued so far.
Homes, vehicles, roads, and bridges were swept away across northern and central Nepal, and hydropower projects were also damaged. As a result, the Nepalese government has requested temporary bridges from both India and China, and both countries have responded positively.
China has already sent two 100-meter Bailey bridges to the Korala border crossing in Mustang. The report said the Department of Roads has estimated the damage to roads and bridges at 30 billion Nepalese rupees, while reconstruction work is expected to cost around 50 billion.
Of the 41 motorable bridges between Rasuwa and Chitwan, they were swept away by the flood. In addition, four bridges were partially damaged. Only 18 of the 63 bridges along that route remain undamaged.
The disaster in Rasuwa severed the road connection with Nuwakot. At the same time, the concrete bridge at Furke Khola was swept away, cutting off the direct link between the district headquarters of Dhading, Dhadingbesi, and the Prithvi Highway.
Moreover, the Nepal Army is separately constructing an arch bridge at Devighat in Nuwakot. Although Bailey bridges are in stock, there is no road access to transport them to the damaged locations.
Work is under way to repair the roads damaged by the floods and restore them to use. Meanwhile, the report also says that India has come forward to provide Bailey bridges.
Meanwhile, the extensive damage to infrastructure has increased challenges in rescue and restoration efforts. In addition, officials are facing great difficulty in identifying bodies recovered from the floodwaters.
