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🇳🇵 Nepal /Disasters & Emergencies

Washed-out bridges force flood-hit communities to rely on helicopters

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Floodwaters have destroyed bridges in Nepal, isolating communities and disrupting essential services.
  • Helicopters are being used for evacuations and to transport students and teachers in affected areas.
  • Extensive damage to roads and bridges is estimated at Rs20 billion, with the government seeking international aid for temporary bridges.

The destruction of bridges by recent floodwaters has left communities in Nepal isolated, forcing reliance on helicopter evacuations for basic travel and rescue operations. In Trishuli Bazar, a routine journey between neighborhoods became a helicopter operation after the bridge over the Trishuli River was swept away. Nepali Army choppers airlifted dozens of students and teachers from Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School to Bidur, with more awaiting evacuation.

We have reached a point where a helicopter is needed to travel between wards of the same municipality.

— Rajendra DawadiSchool principal describing the impact of bridge destruction on local travel.

School principal Rajendra Dawadi described the dire situation, stating, "We have reached a point where a helicopter is needed to travel between wards of the same municipality." The school itself is partially submerged, making immediate resumption of classes impossible. Similar challenges are faced in other areas, with communication lost to parts of Trishuli Hospital and Bidur. Deputy Mayor Prabha Bogati confirmed that around 100 stranded schoolchildren were rescued, but many others remain unable to cross the river due to the lack of bridges.

The damage extends beyond local access. The main route to Rasuwa, the Trishuli-Betrawati road, has been severely damaged. In Dhading, the bridge over the Trishuli River at Phurke Khola was also washed away, cutting off access to the district headquarters. While the Baireni-Mugling section of the Prithvi Highway reopened, the overall impact on infrastructure is immense.

We were able to bring around 100 schoolchildren stranded on both sides of the Trishuli river back into their parents’ arms.

— Prabha BogatiDeputy mayor of Bidur Municipality on rescue efforts.

The Department of Roads reported that the Bhotekoshi flood damaged approximately 40 kilometers of road and destroyed or damaged 41 bridges. The estimated cost for roads, bridges, and related infrastructure damage is Rs20 billion. The government is seeking assistance from India and China to install 42 Bailey bridges to restore connectivity. Efforts are underway to repair alternative roads and establish routes into flood-hit districts, with a committee formed to assess the full extent of the damage.

The lack of roads and bridges has made even relief and rescue operations difficult.

— Rabindra NepalWard 7 chair highlighting the challenges faced by rescue teams.
About this summary

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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