Flood again sweeps houses and bridges in Melamchi

The flooded Melamchi river has once again created disaster in Sindhupalchowk district  sweeping away a number of houses and bridges in the district on Sunday morning.

The red bridge over the river in Chanaute has also been swept away at around 7:45 in the morning, informed according to local eyewitnesses.

The bridge was the only way connecting Melamchi-7 and 8, Panchpokhari 1 and 2 and many wards of Helambu.With the collapse of the bridge, traffic in the area has been shut.The floods have also washed away a suspension bridge in Gyalthum.

Similarly, it also swept away the building housing Melamchi radio station Friday night. The building was uprooted and swept away at around 12:40 last night, said Radio Melamchi chairman Damber Rasik.

It may be noted that the floods triggered by incessant rainfall had swept away houses and land, and converted Helambu, Kiul and Melamchi market into a desert on July 15. The Radio Melamchi building had been submerged in the floodwaters since then but was still standing. The building was abandoned and the radio station was being operated from a different location. Further details about the damage from Saturday’s floods are yet to be collected.

According to an official at the District Police Office, Sindhupalchowk, Gyalthum Bazaar is also at risk due to rising water levels in the river. The administration has urged to remain vigilant considering the rising water levels in Melamchi inflicting further damage.

Earlier, Nima Galgyen Sherpa, chairperson of Helambu Rural Municipality, had urged the people living in the coastal areas of Melamchi river to be alert saying that floods in the Nakote river in Helambu could lead to flood in the Melamchi river. The flash flood of Melamchi river of June 15, 2021 had already damaged a lot to people and properties. Experts are saying that debris accumulated at Bhrumethang, a place some 6 kilometre from Melamchi has been flowing with rainwater. As the debris as soft and liquefied it slide with the river path to downstream. Some other experts mention that the debris might have been soften due to effect of the earthquake of 2015 April 25 and after-shocks. Similarly, experts warn that further floods in the river may take place as a result of small quantity of rain in the uphill.