Pokhara. Floods and landslides at the beginning of the monsoon have caused severe damage to various road networks in Manang. The mountainous district of Manang has been cut off from the road connection after the floods not only connected the upper and lower Manang but also the roads and bridges connecting other districts.
The main road connecting Lamjung Benshisahar-Chame, which is considered as the 'life line' of Manang district, and the road connecting the district headquarters Chame to Upper Manang Khangsar have been damaged by floods and landslides in places. A study has shown that Manang will face a food crisis in a short time if the damaged roads are not repaired immediately.
The committee formed under the coordination of Chief District Officer Bishnu Lamichhane has prepared the study report by inspecting the damaged areas of Naso Municipality and Disyang Municipality on July 9 and 10. The report has also been submitted to the Home Secretary.
The report prepared after the on-site inspection has revealed the damage caused by floods and landslides in the district and the current situation. The report states that the physical infrastructure of various settlements, schools, and government offices in the Naso, Chame, and Nisyang villages of the district have been damaged.
70 percent damage to Talgaon and 80 percent damage to Chame-Benshisahar road section
Talgaon has suffered the most due to the floods in the Marsyangdi River on the first day of July. The Talgaon market in Naso village municipality 1 is still uninhabitable.
The report states that the floods have caused more than 70 percent damage in the settlement. Chief District Officer Lamichhane said that relocation was necessary as there was no possibility of resettlement in the area as the risk of floods and landslides had not decreased.
It was found that more than 70 percent of the houses in the settlement were completely damaged due to the floods. The remaining houses are equally at risk, 'Lamichhane told Online News.' Discussions are underway to relocate the settlement itself. But, we are waiting for the suggestion of the Home Ministry. He informed that the Nepal Army has studied the situation of the settlement.
According to the report, floods and landslides have damaged many roads in the district. The report states that 80 percent of the Chame-Benshisahar road network connecting Manang with the outer district has been damaged by the landslide.
The report states that the steel and suspension bridges connecting the district headquarters to Chame were damaged on both sides. "The floods and landslides have damaged various powerhouses and micro-hydro projects in Naso village," the report said.
Damage to 16 suspension bridges, 11 to be rebuilt
According to the report submitted to the Home Secretary, floods and landslides have damaged 17 suspension bridges across the district. Out of which, only 6 bridges need to be repaired and the remaining 11 bridges need to be rebuilt.
According to the information given to the study team by the Infrastructure Development Office, Manang, Naso village municipality has suffered the most damage to the bridge. The report states that 11 bridges were damaged in the village municipality alone. Of these, seven bridges have been damaged by floods and landslides.
According to the report, four suspension bridges of Chame village municipality have been damaged. The study team has suggested that three bridges should be rebuilt and one bridge should be repaired. A suspension bridge in Nisyang village of Manang district has been damaged by floods and landslides.
The study team has also suggested repairing and rebuild the suspension bridges damaged by floods and landslides as per the immediate need. The report said, "For the reconstruction and maintenance work of the suspension bridge, the suspension bridge division Pulchowk, Lalitpur, the Ministry of Urban Development and Transport Management Gandaki Pradesh should coordinate with the reconstruction and maintenance work as soon as possible."
Home study after district report
The Nepal Army has also conducted an on-site study report on the flood and landslide damage in Manang under the leadership of the district administration. However, the study has not been made public yet, says Lamichhane.
"After submitting the field study report to the Home Secretary, a team led by the Nepal Army was sent from there (Home Ministry) for the field study," said Lamichhane.
Lamichhane expressed confidence that the problem would be addressed soon as a team including UCPN (M) Central Chairman Prachanda and Minister for Energy and Water Resources Pampha Bhusal inspected the flood and landslide affected areas on Saturday alone. "They had a team of experts from roads, drinking water to electricity," he said. "They have shown sensitivity and readiness. The problem will be solved soon! '
