Chame, September 29
Efforts to clear the blocked Marsyangdi River in Chame, Manang, by blasting have not yet succeeded.
According to Krishna Prasad Poudel, assistant chief district officer of Manang, a technical team from the Nepal Army arrived in Chame from Pokhara on Monday to carry out the blasting operation. However, work has not yet begun.
“The technical team arrived in Chame yesterday, but the problem is that they have not found a suitable place for the blast,” Poudel told Onlinekhabar.
According to him, a large rock formation is needed to carry out the blasting. However, no suitable rock has been found around the point where the river is blocked.
“The river has been blocked by gravel, sand, trees, soil and other debris. Because of this, a suitable location for blasting could not be identified,” he said.
As blasting is not immediately possible, authorities have started clearing the blockage using two heavy machines, Poudel said.
The Marsyangdi River was blocked after continuous rainfall caused mud, rocks, gravel and sand from the local Ghattekhola to accumulate in the Chame area.
Water has started flowing partially from the lake formed by the blockage. However, according to Poudel, the lake is still around 400 metres long and 80 metres wide. The water level could be as deep as 20 feet, he said.
Four days of continuous rainfall have also disrupted electricity, telephone and road networks at various locations across Manang.
