KATHMANDU: The garbage collection and disposal in the Kathmandu Valley has been thrown into disorder following the three-day nationwide strikes called by the Maoists.

There are about 2.6 million people living in the Kathmandu Valley who generate an estimated 600 metric tones of garbage each day. "Garbage collection was badly affected due to the ongoing strike," said Rabin Man Shrestha, chief at the Environment Management Department, KMC.

"We are unable to help people get rid of the wastes that keep piling up since Sunday," he added. On the second-day of the bandh, an estimated 1,200 metric tones of garbage is being generated in the Valley. The garbage collection is likely to be disrupted further due to the indefinite strike called by the agitating local body employees from December 24.

The Maoist bandh has left the rotting garbage littered everywhere on the streets. The indefinite strike of the local body employees would worsen the situation, added Shrestha. According to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Kathmandu alone churns out 350 metric tons of waste each day. While Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City, Bhaktapur Municipality, Kirtipur Municipality, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality and other village development committees adjoining to these municipals combinely piles up 250 metric tons of garbage each day. KMC expends an estimated Rs 100,000 on garbage disposal per day. The garbage is dumped at Aletar Landfill Site in Nuwakot district, some 16 km from the Valley.