Landslides-debris removed from 774 places in 29 highways

By Sapana Thami, Kathmandu, Oct 3: The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has said the debris of landslides has been removed in 774 places out of total 805 spots in 34 highways.

At a press meet on Thursday, the Ministry informed that transport has been resumed in 29 highways by removing the debris deposited by the rain-induced landslides that ravaged the country last week.

It said efforts were underway to clear the landslides debris in 31 places of five main highways.

Main highways yet to resume

The 5-km road section of Larcha-Kodari in Aaraniko highway is yet to be resumed. Transport here is disrupted as the Liping Bridge and belly bridge of Larcha have been swept away by floods. Hume pipe will be installed at Larcha while a belly bridge will be installed at Liping to resume traffic.

Out of 19 km road section along Chanki Danda-Kaldhunga in BP highway, 12 km or roads have been swept away by flooding, due to which vehicles have been stranded at different places along the road section. Efforts are underway to change the course of the Roshi stream and make temporary passage for traffic to resume here.

Works are underway to remove debris from road from both the ends of Dolalghat-Rakthum road section in the mid-hill highway as landslides have occurred in different places along the 80-km stretch of the road section.

This section will be used for vehicles coming to Kathmandu from Bardibas via BP Highway.

Debris clearings are underway along 13-km road section of Ghapeli-Baguwa in Kanti highway from both points of Makawanpur and Lalitpur.

Similarly, in Mechi Highway, removing of landslides along the 8-km road section of Ramite-Fidim and making a diversion in place of Hewa Bridge for resuming traffic are also going on, according to the ministry.

Bridges damaged

Washed away by flooding are two bridges in Aaranki highway - 17-meter long Liping bridge and 45-meter long Larcha bridge, three bridges in BP highway- 50-meter long Sunkoshi-Khairenitar bridge, 110-meter Sunkoshi-Foksingtar bridge and 50-meter long Sunkoshi-Khurkot bridge.

50-meter bridge of Hewa stream in Mechi highway, 50-meter Bagmati bridge in Kanti highway and 35-meter long Ratekhola bridge of Ilam in Mechi highway have also been washed away by the flooding, according to the ministry.