MYAGDI: A shortage of fuel has emerged as a major challenge in repairing the Myagdi section of the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road, which was obstructed by floods and landslides following heavy rainfall last week.
The continuous rainfall from September 24 to 27 triggered floods and landslides at more than 46 locations along around 50 kilometres of the road between Maldhunga and Ghasa.
Following repairs, one-way traffic has resumed along the sections from Bhurung Tatopani in Annapurna Rural Municipality to Mustang and from Maladhunga in Parbat to Rahughat in Myagdi.
However, repair work has been affected by a shortage of fuel after existing supplies ran out and due to delays in removing a gantry tower located at the powerhouse and switchyard premises of the Rahughat Hydropower Project in Tilkenichaur, Raghuganga Rural Municipality-3.
Tejaswi Sharma, chief of the Beni-Jomsom-Korala Road Project, said the shortage of diesel has affected the operation of excavators, loaders, backhoe loaders and tippers required to clear landslides, cut hills and carry out filling work along the Tilkenichaur-Pokharebagar section.
He said efforts were underway to transport fuel from Mustang through inter-district coordination, while the Rahughat Hydropower Project was coordinating with higher authorities to remove the tower.
A high-level team has also inspected the landslide-affected sections to facilitate repair work, Sharma said.
Raghuganga Rural Municipality Chair Bhav Bahadur Bhandari said an alternative route through Piple-Bhagwati-Beg to Begkhola has been opened for small vehicles, while efforts are underway to facilitate fuel transportation.
A technical team led by Department of Roads Director General Dr Bijay Jaisi inspected the affected sections on Friday and pledged to ensure that a lack of resources would not hamper repair work.
Rahughat Hydropower Project chief Raj Bahadur Bista said approval from higher authorities is required to remove the tower and urged concerned agencies not to mobilise security personnel without first obtaining the necessary information and approval.
The floods have damaged the tailrace duct built to discharge water from the hydropower project’s powerhouse, along with sections of the road, construction equipment and project camps in Tilkenichaur.
Road sections have also been washed away at Rahupare, Sirubari, Kunauta, Mahabhir, Bhirkate, Dhirchyang and Tatopani, while the approach road to a bridge at Pokharebagar has been swept away.
With the Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani border points closed, the Korala border point has become the only remaining route for trade with China. However, the disruption of road connectivity has also cut off access to Korala.
Authorities have given high priority to reopening the Beni-Jomsom road as tourism activity has been disrupted during the peak season.
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