Rasuwagadhi Road Reopens After Flood Damage; Bailey Bridges Being Installed

Kathmandu. The Galchi–Devighat–Trishuli road section, damaged by the flood in the Trishuli river, has been reopened after temporary repairs, and work on installing bailey bridges at various locations is being expedited to restore traffic to Rasuwagadhi. Since the Government of Nepal does not have enough bailey bridges of sufficient length, bailey bridges are being brought from countries like China, India, and America for installation. However, the initial estimate for the permanent reconstruction of the roads and bridges destroyed by the flood is over 73 billion rupees. Due to the flood on Bhadra 10, 69 kilometers of road and 37 motorable bridges were completely or partially damaged. According to Soujanya Nepal, an engineer at the Department of Roads, task forces are actively working to clear the blocked roads and reconstruct the damaged structures. Currently, efforts are underway to quickly open the road to Rasuwagadhi temporarily. The Galchi–Devighat–Trishuli section has been temporarily repaired and reopened. The Department of Roads has stated that after excavating and opening a new track on approximately 100 meters of road that was completely damaged by river erosion in the Ratamate section due to the flood, traffic has resumed. Similarly, about 2 to 3 meters of thick mud accumulated in the Thulo Khola section was removed to clear the road. The work of clearing the accumulated landslides and mud in the Thulo Khola–Kashitar–Devighat area has also been completed. The process of opening the road from Trishuli to Betrawati has now begun. The department also stated that work is underway to open the road by installing bailey bridges at various locations. Where are the bailey bridges being installed? Out of the 33 bridges completely damaged by the flood, bailey bridges were to be installed at three locations immediately, but only one has been installed so far. Bailey bridges were to be installed at Tadi River in Devighat, Trishuli Bazaar, and Betrawati Bazaar in Nuwakot, but due to difficulties in road reconstruction, the installation of bailey bridges has not been able to progress rapidly due to the inability to transport materials. According to the Department of Roads, the construction of a bailey bridge in Devighat, Nuwakot, has been completed, and the Kolpu Khola bridge, damaged by the flood, has been temporarily repaired for traffic. The tender process for the permanent repair of the Kolpu Khola bridge has also been initiated. A 60-meter-long Acrow bridge has been installed in Devighat. This bridge was installed by the Nepali Army in 5 days. With the completion of these works, traffic movement from Galchi via Devighat to Battar, Bidur, Trishuli, and Gerkhu has become easier. Similarly, the work of installing a bailey bridge in Betrawati has now started. Engineer Nepal informed that the foundation construction for the bailey bridge has begun and the work of transporting necessary materials has been initiated. A 76-meter-long bailey bridge is needed in Betrawati. Upon completion of this work, the road connection between the district headquarters and Betrawati will be re-established. According to Engineer Nepal, the team of the Department of Roads is currently focused on the Betrawati area. Approximately 4 kilometers of road in the Betrawati area were completely damaged by the flood. Of this, 3.2 kilometers have been cleared so far. The remaining 800 meters of road are being repaired. The department stated that the repair work is taking a long time due to the complex terrain in that area. Work is also underway to install a bailey bridge over the Falakhu (Betrawati) River. Technical study for a bailey bridge in Trishuli Bazaar. A technical study is underway to install another bailey bridge in Trishuli Bazaar. The width of the river, which was previously 60 meters long, has now exceeded 120 meters after being eroded by the flood. Engineer Nepal said that discussions are ongoing regarding the size, technology, and location of the bailey bridge to be installed, as the river has become very wide, and a final decision will be made soon. Currently, traffic is being maintained using alternative routes such as Tokha Road, the road to Dhadingbesi, and alternative routes across the Trishuli River in areas where the main highway is under repair. The Department of Roads stated that bailey bridges available with the Department and received from India and China are being installed on damaged road sections on a priority basis. The Department of Roads currently has 10 bailey bridges of 50 meters length in stock. However, bailey bridges longer than 70 meters are required at the locations damaged by the flood. Therefore, the Department of Roads has requested bailey bridges from various donor agencies. Lalijan Khanal, Chief of the Bridge Division of the Department of Roads, informed that the bailey bridges currently in stock with the Department of Roads are not of sufficient length. "We only have 50-meter ones in stock, and there is no place to install them," he said. Providing information about the progress of bridge installation, Chief Khanal said that the Nepali Army had previously installed a 60-meter-long bailey bridge in Devighat. Now, a 76-meter-long bailey bridge will be installed in Betrawati. He said that the work of clearing the road in Betrawati is underway, and the army will install the bailey bridge within 8 to 10 days after the road is cleared. Regarding the preparations in Betrawati, Chief Khanal said, "First, the road needs to be cleared in Betrawati. Clearing the road will take some time. The bailey bridge will be installed within 8-10 days after the road is cleared. The army did it in Devighat the other day, and they will do it at the same speed." Chief Khanal of the Bridge Division said that China, America, UAE, and India have committed to providing bailey bridge assistance to Nepal. "So far, no donor's bailey bridges have arrived at our site. China, America, UAE, and India have all committed to us. One 70-meter bailey bridge from India has arrived in Hetauda," he said. He also stated that another bailey bridge from India has been shipped from Kolkata, as informed via message from the Second Secretary there. Similarly, he said that although there was a proposal to provide a bailey bridge with a total length of 100 meters from China, Nepal requested a single span without intermediate supports, but such a type is not available. He added that other bailey bridges from China are on their way. America has stated that it will send bailey bridges by airplane, and the handover and necessary technical assistance will be provided in collaboration with a team of the US Army and the Nepali Army. Khanal said that the process will move forward through the Ministry of Defense. He clarified that Nepal has requested bailey bridges of 100 meters or longer from America and has sent the details, but the arrival is not yet certain. Assessment of over 73 billion rupees for road and bridge reconstruction. Although efforts to open traffic immediately have been intensified, the long-term reconstruction of structures destroyed by the flood appears challenging. According to the 'Rapid Disaster Damage and Needs Assessment' (RDNA) report prepared by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and related agencies, the initial estimate for the permanent reconstruction and rehabilitation of damaged roads and bridges alone is 73.34 billion rupees. 37 motorable bridges have been affected by the disaster, of which 33 have been completely washed away, and 4 have been partially damaged. Similarly, 53 out of 68 suspension bridges, considered the backbone of rural life, have been completely destroyed. The Department of Roads stated that although the state needs to mobilize significant resources for the long-term reconstruction of these structures, the current focus is on providing convenient transportation services to the citizens through temporary and rapid restoration.