Bajura, June 16

Dozens of suspension bridges in Bajura are at high risk as the water level in the rivers and streams has risen due to incessant rainfall.

People's movement has been obstructed with the water running over the bridges and the flooded river encroaching the banks at Badimalika Municipality.

Four suspension bridges were swept away by the flooded Budhiganga River last year. Prem Mahat, a local, said many bridges were at high risk of flood and landslides due to lack of management. A suspension bridge at Pilichaur over the Karnali River is also at high risk. Similarly, dozens of bridges in Karnali Province are also at a high risk. Swamikartik Rural Municipality Chairman Chiranjibi Shahi said that the bridges at Badhu, Gotri, Sappata, Rugin and other bridges that connect Bajura, Humla and Mugu are also at high risk.

People's movement has also been affected in these areas.

Locals said the bridges at Barjugard, Guigard, Kordaligard, Ghatmuna, Bahuli Khola, Dahakot, Maure, Daiya that connect Achham and Bajura were also at high risk. They said the locals were compelled to cross these risky bridges as there was no option.

No authority has taken the initiative to repair the bridges even though dozens of suspension bridges are at high risk. Another local, Dal Nepali of Badimalika Municipality, said that they were using the bridge to cross the river as there was no other way.

Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Gopal Adhikari said the district dwellers were requested to take safety measures as using the suspension bridges in the districts had become fraught with danger.

People's movement in some parts was halted as the water level had increased in the river. Similarly, bridges at Tipada and Rapke of Bajura, Sanphe and Budabagar of Achham are at high risk.

Kamal Saud at Budhiganga Municipality said the Budhiganga River had inundated the land and houses in the areas might be swept away any time.

A version of this article appears in the print on June 17, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.