Kathmandu, August 5

Low-lying areas of Bhaktapur district, particularly Madhyapur Thimi, have been inundated after incessant rainfall today.

However, unlike the July 12 incident when the areas were submerged in floodwaters after 121.6 mm rainfall, today’s flooding was caused by 49.5 mm rainfall.

Local leaders of Bhaktapur blamed poor drainage system, unplanned urbanisation and encroachment of the Hanumante River for frequent flooding in the areas.

Province 3 assembly member Sashi Jung Thapa said, “Today’s incident has shown that even moderate rainfall can cause devastation in certain areas of Bhaktapur. The only permanent solution to prevent such incidents in future is to complete the much-awaited Hanumante Corridor Project.”

Existing laws do not allow construction of houses within a distance of 20 metres from rivers.

However, local authorities admitted that many houses were constructed on river banks in violation of the rule.

Chief District Officer of Bhakatapur Narayan Prasad Bhatta, however, claimed that they did not have record of any such building constructed illegally.

“We do not have official record of such buildings,” CDO Bhatta said.

The rainfall had also caused damage to the Manahara bridge at the Koteshower-Suryabinayak road segment near Radhe Radhe. According to Bhatta, engineers from the Department of Roads had visited the site and said the bridge had not suffered serious damage.