MYAGDI: A landslide at Phaparkhet, on the border of Beni Municipality-4 and Mangala Rural Municipality-2, has disrupted traffic along the Beni–Darwang road. This vital route connects three rural municipalities in Myagdi with the district headquarters, Beni Bazaar.
Since the road was opened before 2060 BS, it has remained vulnerable to landslides during every monsoon season, regularly halting transportation along the 24-kilometer stretch. The Beni–Darwang road is a critical link for residents of Mangala, Malika, and Dhaulagiri rural municipalities, and is also used by people from Tamankhola Rural Municipality in neighboring Baglung district.
Chakralal Pandey (Raju) of Babiyachaur in Mangala Rural Municipality-2 said locals are facing major difficulties commuting, taking patients to hospitals, and transporting milk, vegetables, fruits, daily essentials, and construction materials to market.
“Landslides have occurred even while vehicles were on the road, causing injuries and vehicle damage,” he said. “Travel is risky, as landslides can occur at any time.”
Development projects have also been impacted. Three hydropower projects under construction on the Myagdi River, the Dandakhet–Rahughat substation and transmission line, and infrastructure projects such as roads, buildings, drinking water systems, and irrigation works have all suffered due to the continued landslides. The Myagdi River runs below the road, while a large landslide looms above.
Despite earlier efforts—including the construction of a concrete retaining wall under the road to protect against river erosion—attempts to control the landslides have largely failed, leading to wasted investment. The Myagdi Infrastructure Development Office has mobilized resources to clear landslide debris and resume traffic flow.
To address the issue more sustainably, a plan is being developed to construct a bailey bridge linking Pakher (Mangala Rural Municipality-3) with Simalchaur (Ward No. 2), said Resham Bahadur Jugjali, a Gandaki Provincial Assembly member elected from Myagdi-1(2).
“The provincial government has allocated Rs 10 million in the current fiscal year to install a bailey bridge over the Myagdi River as an alternative to the Phaparkhet landslide-prone section,” he said. “We are also working to procure and install a backup bailey bridge from the federal government.”
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