Rasuwa Floods: Initial Damage to Roads and Bridges Estimated Over NPR 1.5 Billion

According to reports, the devastating floods that struck on Wednesday have caused preliminary damage estimated at over NPR 1.5 billion to roads and bridge infrastructure, according to the Chief of the Department of Roads. “A total of 19 bridges and 40 kilometers of road have been preliminarily assessed to have sustained more than NPR 1.5 billion in damages,” said Vijay Jaisi, the Department’s Director General. However, officials have indicated that a detailed assessment of the flood’s full impact will take some time.

Preparations to install Bailey bridges at sites where large bridges were swept away are underway starting Thursday, Jaisi added. “We have available Bailey bridges and have also requested assistance from friendly nations India and China to supply more,” he explained. So far, no detailed information has been released regarding the quantity or types of Bailey bridges requested from these countries. On Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with his Nepali counterpart, Balendra Shah ‘Balen,’ expressing readiness to provide support.

“India is prepared to provide all possible forms of humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief operations,” Modi stated on social media. The sudden, destructive floods have caused significant damage to various road sections, the department confirmed. According to Director General Jaisi, the Syafrubesi-Rasuwa Gadhi road connection has been completely severed following the floods.

Before reconstruction could be completed, the floodwaters once again affected the road sections under construction with Chinese assistance. “At present, it is not possible to accurately determine the extent of the damage to the road under construction,” Jaisi noted. Additionally, the Galchi-Baireni road section has also been blocked by floodwaters, with officials reporting difficulties in clearing debris and ice. According to Department of Roads officials, removing ice and debris is similarly challenging on the Vidur-Tadikhola road section after the floods.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority estimates that an earlier landslide in Tibet initially blocked the river, which upon melting triggered the floods in Rasuwa. Authorities have urged the public to avoid traveling on flood-affected routes, including the Prithvi Highway, Galchi-Nuwakot-Rasuwa Syafrubesi road, and Mugling-Narayangarh road.