PANCHTHAR: Several roads in Panchthar, including the Mechi Highway, Pushpalal (Mid-Hill) Highway, and the Tamor Corridor, have been blocked due to flooding triggered by continuous rainfall.
The Mechi Highway was obstructed after floodwaters from the Hewa River damaged a diversion built in place of a bailey bridge that had been swept away by a previous flood last year.
The Hewa River lies on the border of Phidim Municipality and Hilihang Rural Municipality. According to Police Inspector Rupesh Tamang of the District Police Office, Panchthar, the floodwaters have risen above the diversion, halting all vehicular movement.
As a result, road access to Hilihang, Yangwarak, and Phalelung Rural Municipalities, as well as Taplejung district, has been cut off.
The Tamor Corridor road, considered a fast route, has also been blocked by flooding. Local residents say the river—located on the border of Tumbewa Rural Municipality in Panchthar and Chaubise Rural Municipality in Dhankuta—is currently impassable. Many bridges along this under-construction road section have yet to be completed.
Flooding has also obstructed the source section of the Pushpalal (Mid-Hill) Highway. A diversion over the Mewa River in Dobhane, Yangwarak Rural Municipality-2, has been blocked, while a landslide at Rijal Bhir in Yangwarak-3 has also disrupted traffic, according to Inspector Tamang.
Additionally, landslides have blocked the Bhedetar–Rabi Ranke road, with obstructions reported at Magarbhir in Falgunanda Rural Municipality-5 and at Rabi Bazaar in Miklajung Rural Municipality-4.
In another incident, the access road to the diversion over the Feme Khola, located on the border of Phidim Municipality-1 and 11 along the Phidim–Falot Road, was washed away by floodwaters. Though the diversion itself remains intact, efforts are underway to restore the approach road to resume traffic.
Landslides have also blocked the road section between Pauwa Bhanjyang and Ranitar along the Mechi Highway. The Sidin–Memeng road has been obstructed after a diversion at Ghumaunetar, between Falelung Rural Municipality-3 and 7, was damaged by flooding. In addition, a landslide has destroyed the duty post of the Area Police Office in Rabi, Miklajung Rural Municipality-2, according to police.
Comment