BAGLUNG: Tourism and commercial activities in Baglung have been hit hard after flooding damaged the approach road to Maldhunga Bridge, disrupting the main road connection and disappointing businesses that had expected a surge in visitors during the Dashain festival.
In recent years, the festive season has brought an influx of tourists to destinations such as Kalika Temple, Panchakot and Dhorpatan, boosting hotel occupancy, trade and employment opportunities. However, the expected increase in visitors has failed to materialize this year, leaving hotels and businesses struggling.
Traffic has remained disrupted for 12 days since flooding washed away the approach road to Maldhunga Bridge, a major entry point to Baglung. The damage has severed regular road connectivity between Baglung and Parbat, while the main route to Myagdi and Mustang has also been blocked, affecting tourism and local economic activities.
Baglung serves as an important gateway for tourists traveling to various destinations in the region. Hotelier Angel Shakya said business had remained sluggish despite the start of the Dashain holiday period, when hotels would normally receive more visitors.
“Without a functioning main road, how can tourists reach here? The road connection to Mustang has been severed, and our hotel business has traditionally benefited from visitors traveling to Mustang,” Shakya said.
He added that the prolonged disruption was causing mounting losses for hoteliers, as few tourists were willing to travel via alternative routes. He warned that businesses would continue to suffer until the road to Mustang and the Maldhunga Bridge connection were restored.
The disruption has also affected transportation along the Kaligandaki Corridor, an important route linking Nepal’s northern and southern regions, and the Mid-Hill Highway. As a key junction connecting Baglung with other parts of western Nepal, Maldhunga’s closure has disrupted the movement of passengers and goods, further affecting trade and the livelihoods of local residents.
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