Explosives used to clear Karnali Highway

By Netra Shahi

Jumla, Oct. 22: Nepali Army is using explosives to remove the rocks accumulated along the Karnali Highway. Large stones and debris were accumulated along several sections of the highway because of the landslides caused by excessive rain at the end of monsoon season.

Works to remove the obstructions from the Nagma-Rachuli section of the highway have started since Wednesday with in a coordination between the Nepali Army (NA) and the Road Division Office.

The NA’s Nanda Baks Battalion informed that 10 blasting were performed along the highway section on Wednesday and Friday.

Battalion chief Rabin Thapa informed that a 50-member team of the NA has been deployed under the command of Captain Santosh KC for the purpose.

The Road Division Office informed that excavators were unable to remove the large stones fallen on the highway. “It is why we needed the help of the Nepali Army. They are using explosives to clear the obstructions,” said Rajiv Shrestha, chief at the Jumla-based road office.

Shrestha informed that they will start repairing the roads after removing the rocks. “If all obstructions along the Nagma-Rachuli section are removed, we can allow resumption of the vehicular movement along the highway,” he added.

The officials have expected that the highway will open in the next fortnight.

Vehicular movement along the Karnali Highway has been obstructed for almost half a month now. Authorities informed that there is shortage of petroleum products in the region after the transportation services came to a halt.

Meanwhile, the security forces constructed a temporary motorable bridge over the Kodari River at Ward No. 2 of Guthichaur Rural Municipality along Jumla-Dolpa road section in two days.

The bridge over the river was washed away by the flood during the recent rain. Vehicular movement in the area had been obstructed since then.

Search for 13 missing underway

The landslides along the Karnali Highway had also caused human casualties. A total of 13 individuals of a funeral procession had gone missing at Rachuli. 

Similarly, seven individuals died after landslides buried houses in Ward No. 5 of Kankasundari Rural Municipality.

Battalion chief Thapa informed that officers from the NA, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been conducting a joint search operation of missing individuals.

Security forces had carried relief materials to the landslide victims of Kankasundari for two days.