Manang, September 29
Authorities have begun efforts to clear the Marsyangdi River after it was blocked at Ghattkhola on Sunday by large rocks, gravel, sand and mud following continuous rainfall.
Assistant Chief District Officer Krishna Prasad Poudel said that the lake formed by the blockage had started draining after the river’s course was diverted.
“The river is partially flowing. Some work has begun using excavators and other equipment available here,” Poudel said. “Large rocks need to be broken, and preparations are underway for this.”
The river changed course above a bridge, inundating some houses in the area, he said.
Chame Rural Municipality Chair Lokendra Bahadur Ghale said residents could return home soon if the river was cleared using locally available resources.
He said authorities must assess the risks to settlements along the Marsyangdi before using explosives to break the rocks. Removing some of the obstructing rocks with excavators could reduce damage to the riverbank, he said.
Poudel said authorities were studying the use of explosives to restore the river to its original course without damaging surrounding areas.
Floods and landslides have disrupted electricity and drinking water supplies, telephone and internet services, and completely blocked roads in the area. In Nisyang Rural Municipality-4, Humde, floodwater and mud have entered houses in nearby settlements.
Electricity supply has also been disrupted after the powerhouse of a micro-hydropower project at Sabje Khola was damaged.
Floods in Ghattkhola, Thado Khola and the Marsyangdi River had previously caused extensive physical damage in Manang in 2021.
