In Brief:

• Bagmati Province to build temporary bridges at suitable locations
• Decision taken at all-party meeting led by CM Kiran Thapa
• Focus on relief, rescue and temporary shelter arrangements
• Roads and foot trails already being reopened
• Meeting urged prompt delivery of essential supplies
• Call for long-term sustainable development and reconstruction plan

HETAUDA, AUGUST 30 Bagmati Province plans to build bailey bridges, suspension bridges and temporary crossings at suitable locations to restore access to communities cut off by the Bhotekoshi flood and landslides. The decision was taken at an all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister Kiran Thapa in Kathmandu to review the damage caused by the devastating flood on August 26 and discuss the province's response. The meeting agreed to continue relief, rescue and temporary shelter arrangements in the worst-affected areas of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Chitwan without interruption. It also urged the provincial government to ensure that essential supplies reach affected residents promptly. The province is already working to reopen roads and foot trails disrupted by floods and landslides. The meeting agreed to conduct feasibility studies and identify suitable locations for temporary bridges and crossings to ease movement. Participants stressed that the response should go beyond immediate relief, calling for a long-term plan for sustainable development and reconstruction in the affected areas. Former Bagmati chief ministers Rajendra Pandey, Shalikram Jamkattel and Bahadur Singh Lama, along with parliamentary party leaders of various political parties, attended the meeting. CPN-UML parliamentary party leader Jagannath Thapaliya joined through WhatsApp and shared his suggestions. Other participants included Physical Infrastructure Minister Bharat Bahadur KC, Minister for Water Supply, Energy and Irrigation Raju Bista, Rastriya Prajatantra Party parliamentary party leader Uddhav Thapa, NCP chief whip Ratna Dhakal and Nepali Congress provincial assembly member Ramesh Kumar Mahat.