Melamchi-Helambu road construction remains uncertain

MELAMCHI: The Melamchi-Helambu road renovation has remained uncertain with the continuous land erosion by the swollen Melamchi rivulet.

Recurring floods and subsequent erosions have frequently halted road traffic despite several efforts to resume the vehicular movement along the road which was devastated by the flood following mid-June.

Citizens residing in the upper belt of Melamchi have been facing trouble for no resumption of road traffic. In absence of the road, the construction of a bridge has also been impeded, shared Helambu rural municipality chairperson Neema Gyaljen Sherpa.

“Almost all works of the bridge construction might have been completed so far. The transportation of materials was a big problem in lack of road”, he added. The recent flood has also affected the rural municipality’s plan to complete the construction of temporary housing and shift the survivors to other places within Dashain.

Due to incessant rain and recurring floods, the settlement from Helambu from Sipaghat are reeling under higher risk. As informed flood has caused damages to a house nearby Melamchi municipality-6, Talamarang bazaar. Risk is still continued in Helambu-Melamchi zone which was immoderately battered by floods last time.

Melamchi mayor Dambar Aryal said the vulnerable settlement people were asked to shift to the secured place and also maintain precaution. “We have mobilized all possible mechanisms to control river and resume river-obstructed road. So far millions of rupees have been invested for this but our investment and efforts are not yielding concrete results”, he added.

The incessant rain since last Friday has risked the houses, makeshifts, bridges and three schools located from Timbu of Helambu to Melamchi-11 bazaar.

Hundred ropanis of fertile land are being eroded in the area. According to the District Police Office data, so far the floods have inflicted damages to 272 cemented houses, 185 non-cemented houses, 66 sheds/huts, other 52 structures, seven cemented bridges and 15 suspension bridges in the district this year.