Landslides obstruct rural roads in far-west

Dhangadi, July 22

Recurring landslides triggered by incessant rainfall have obstructed vehicular movement along the rural roads of the far-western region for about a week now.

According to Shaileshwori Transport Entrepreneurs’ Committee chairperson Ganesh Bahadur Malasi, the region is witnessing rainfall almost every day for the past few days. “Incessant rainfall has damaged most of the rural roads while vehicular movement has been obstructed,” said Malasi.

About a dozen road sections, including Dipayal-Bogatan, Dipayal-Bajhang, Dipayal-Napani in Doti and Dadeldhura’s Raduwa-Ganeshpur, Dadeldhura-Bhageshwor and Bhajhang’s Thalakada have been obstructed after the roads were damaged due to rain and landslides.

Meanwhile, disruption of the roads has put the locals at the receiving end.

Farmers of the region have been hit the hardest as they have been unable to transport their produce to the market. The disrupted roads have also made it difficult for the businesspersons and traders to transport their goods and commodities.

Division Road Office, Dipayal chief Sushilbabu Basnet said it was not possible to repair and open the damaged roads until the rain stopped.

“As the rural roads were built with fund from the concerned village development committees and district development committees, it’s difficult to manage the finances to repair the roads right away,” he said.

Tek Bahadur Khadka, programme officer at Doti DDC, expressed doubt that the roads would be opened anytime soon. “As the roads are severely damaged and the rain has yet to stop, the roads are likely to remain shut for a long time,” he said.

Incessant rainfall has also damaged rural roads of Darchula.

According to Chief District Officer of Darchula, Mohanraj Joshi, the Baitadi-Darchula road section remains obstructed due to landslides. “The road remains obstructed after landslides struck at over 50 places.”