Marsyangdi River Blockage Cleared After Heavy Rainfall

Manang. The Marsyangdi River, blocked by mud, stones, and gravel in the Ghattékhola last Sunday due to continuous rainfall, has begun to be cleared. Assistant Chief District Officer Krishnaprasad Poudel informed Rasas that the lake formed by the blocked river has started to be opened. "The river's water is partially flowing by changing its course. Some work has started using excavators and other materials available here," he said, "Large rocks need to be broken. Preparations for this are also underway." According to him, some houses in the area have been submerged as the river has changed its course over the bridge. Chame Rural Municipality Chairman Lokendra Bahadur Ghale informed that if the river can be cleared using locally available resources, the locals can be sent home soon. "We need to consider the risk that can increase in the downstream area of the Marsyangdi if rocks are broken by explosions," he said, "If some of the stuck stones can be removed by the excavator, it will cause less damage to the downstream area." The Marsyangdi River was blocked by large stones with mud in Ghattékhola, which has Lamjung Himal at its peak. Assistant Chief District Officer Poudel stated that studies are underway to return the river's flow to its original course by detonating bombs to break the rocks without causing damage to the surrounding areas. He said that if the river can be cleared, the fear of the locals and the difficult environment will end soon. Due to floods and landslides, electricity supply, drinking water problems, telephone contact, internet access, and road networks have been completely obstructed in that area. Water and mud have entered houses in settlements around the municipality due to floods and landslides in the local Ngisyang Rural Municipality-4 Humde. Supply has been disrupted after the powerhouse of the micro-hydropower project extracted from Sabje Khola was damaged. Previously, in 2078 BS, floods from the same Ghattékhola, Thado Khola, and Marsyangdi caused significant physical damage in Manang.