Many Areas of Rasuwa Isolated After Bhote Koshi-Trishuli Floods, Risk of Famine Looms

Local representatives in Rasuwa district have reported that several areas have been cut off following the flood that struck on September 26. The Bhote Koshi-Trishuli rivers’ floods destroyed key bridges on major road networks connecting Rasuwa, leaving no accessible routes for delivering relief, a situation they conveyed to Prime Minister Balendra Shah “Balen.” After the bridges over the Trishuli River were swept away, reaching Rasuwa’s district headquarters in Dhunche now requires traveling a longer, winding, and unpaved road from Nuwakot’s Chaughera, crossing the Likhu River, then passing through Narja, Lathyang, and Sarmathali to reach Kalikasthan.

Numerous vehicles carrying relief materials have been seen being pulled over obstacles by other vehicles on this challenging route, footage of which has been widely shared on social media. Due to the lack of road connectivity, Kaising Nurpu Tamang, Chairperson of Gosaikunda Rural Municipality in Rasuwa, was unable to attend the meeting called by the Prime Minister. Participating virtually from Dhunche during the call, Tamang stated over the phone, “The problem is the road. The road cannot be connected.” He added, “Continuous relief aid via helicopter is not sustainable, so the priority must be restoring road access with everyone’s support.” On the twentieth day after the flood, the federal government held a meeting at Singha Durbar with representatives from 15 affected local governments. Leaders from Rasuwa, Dhading, and Tanahun districts urged the federal government to prioritize temporary shelters and rehabilitation for displaced people.

Rasuwa’s representatives emphasized the urgent need to restore the road network. Madhav Aryal, Chairperson of Uttar Gaya Rural Municipality, highlighted, “Some of our areas are not connected to the transportation network, causing difficulties in transporting essential goods like food and medicine.” He warned, “If road access is not quickly reestablished, a large population could face the risk of famine.” Aryal pointed out that without proper roads, patients, pregnant women, and new mothers are particularly vulnerable. Buchung Tamang, Chairperson of Amachodingmo Rural Municipality, described their situation as a blockade due to the absence of road connectivity. “We are effectively cut off. Immediate construction of Bailey bridges and suspension bridges is necessary,” he said.

During discussions with the Prime Minister, Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal took the representatives to his ministry. Aryal and Tamang noted that the ministry identified critical locations and plans to commence bridge construction immediately. Prime Minister Shah affirmed that the government is persistently working to restore road connectivity in the affected areas rapidly and expressed confidence that once roads are operational, residents will be able to return to normal life more easily.