Myagdi, October 7
Repair and reconstruction work has been intensified along several sections of the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road under the Kaligandaki Corridor after floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall disrupted the route.
The 202-kilometre road connecting Pang of Kushma Municipality-1 in Parbat with the Korala border point in China via Beni, Myagdi and Mustang was disrupted at 55 locations. The Kaligandaki River flood washed away or damaged 10 sections following heavy rainfall from September 24 to 27.
Tejaswi Sharma, chief of the Beni-Jomsom-Korala Road Project, said preliminary repairs had been completed at all affected sites except Kunauta in Raghuganga Rural Municipality-2 and the bridge approach road at Pokharebagar in Annapurna Rural Municipality.
The Maldhunga-Kunauta and Korala-Pokharebagar sections have been restored for heavy vehicles. Landslide clearance and alternative routes have also been completed at Ratopani, Dhirchyang, Bhirkate, Mahabhir, Tiplyang and Begkhola.
About 250 metres of road was washed away at Kunauta, where four excavators and tippers are being deployed. A gabion wall is being built at Pokharebagar.
Narendra Subedi, head of the Federal Road Supervision and Monitoring Office in Pokhara, said efforts were underway to reopen the remaining sections by Monday.
The Department of Roads estimates that about Rs 3 billion will be required for reconstruction.
