Floods, landslides cause extensive damage to road infrastructure in Baglung

BAGLUNG: Floods and landslides have caused extensive loss of life and property in Baglung, with 13 people reported dead and damage to major road infrastructure alone estimated at around Rs 500 million.

Roads under the Road Division Office, including national highways and feeder roads, as well as provincial road infrastructure under the Infrastructure Development Office, have been damaged. The long-term cost of reconstructing the affected roads is estimated to exceed Rs 1 billion.

According to preliminary assessments, the Nisi and Galkot sections of the Mid-Hill Highway have suffered the most damage. The Galkot-Harichaur-Tarakhola road section under the provincial government has also been severely affected.

Hari Subedi, chief of the Road Division Office in Baglung, said the Kaligandaki Corridor, Mid-Hill Highway, Baglung-Beni Road and other major roads have sustained damage estimated at around Rs 300 million.

A 400-metre section of the Mid-Hill Highway has been washed away in the Kanabagar and Jhiwakhola areas. Landslides have also occurred at more than a dozen locations along the Ghodabadhe-Hatiya section, disrupting transportation.

The Kaligandaki Corridor has sustained damage at several locations, including Kalakhola Bagar, Belbagar and Jaiminighat. Landslides have also disrupted traffic along the Baglung Bazaar-Sigana and Baglung Bazaar-Tityang roads.

Meanwhile, preliminary estimates from the Infrastructure Development Office, Baglung, put the damage to provincial roads at around Rs 200 million.

Office chief Anup Thapa said the Harichaur-Tarakhola road has suffered the most damage, with landslides reported at around a dozen locations along the eight-kilometre stretch.

The Shalgram Museum-Malika-Panchkot and Kushmisera-Rangkhani roads have also been damaged.

“We are collecting detailed information, but the damage to road infrastructure is currently estimated at around Rs 200 million,” Thapa said. “We have sent a letter to the contractor for reconstruction of the Harichaur-Tarakhola road, as the contract period has not yet expired.”