Temporary Diversions Washed Away by Floods, Causing Commuter Hardship in Panchthar

Panchthar. Commuters face hardship as temporary diversions built on rivers and streams without road bridges are repeatedly washed away by floods. Temporary diversions built on the main roads here are facing the problem of being washed away by floods that come with the rain.

Eight bridges are under construction over rivers on the roads under the Tamor Corridor, which connects the eastern hills to the Terai in a short distance. Floods have been creating obstacles at the Hempa River, located at the border of Phidim Municipality-4 and Hillihang Rural Municipality-7 in Panchthar, and the Nawa River, located at the border of Panchthar and Dhankuta districts. Floods have repeatedly damaged the temporary diversions built on both rivers. As soon as there is heavy rainfall, vehicles cannot cross the Nawa River. Two-wheeled vehicles are transported via suspension bridges, while other vehicles cross the river at their own risk.

Rajkumar Dewan of Tumbewa Rural Municipality-2, Lakhua, said that there is a risk due to the sudden increase in water flow. "Vehicles are being crossed at their own risk," Dewan said, "There is no certainty when the diversion will be washed away." Hundreds of vehicles and transport vehicles from Taplejung, Tehrathum, and Panchthar operate daily via the Tamor Corridor road. However, the construction of bridges over rivers like Nawa is gaining momentum.

Meanwhile, the diversion at Majhitara on the Hempa River, which falls under the Tamor Corridor, has been repeatedly washed away by floods. Locals say that the Hempa River has a large catchment area and it rains continuously, so floods occur here frequently. Due to regular rainfall, the diversion was washed away by floods since last March. "In previous years, the diversion used to hold until June," said Ramkumar Majhi of Hillihang-7 Majhitara, "This year, traffic has been disrupted since March."

Due to the absence of a diversion here, vehicles operating from Taplejung and northern Panchthar's Hillihang and Yangwarak Rural Municipalities towards the Terai are forced to take a detour via the Mechi Highway, Phidim-Shivdovan. Birendra Mangrati of Hillihang-5 said that the problem is due to the Tamor Corridor Road Project and the construction company not showing regular interest in repairing the diversion and constructing systematic structures. "After being washed away by floods once, the diversion is not repaired for a long time, making the short-distance road unusable," Mangrati said, "We have to travel a long way even to go to the headquarters from this area."

Similarly, commuters have been facing hardship due to the diversion at the Mewa River in Dobhane, Yangwarak Rural Municipality-2, under the Pushpalal (Mid-Hill) Highway, being repeatedly washed away by floods. The diversion was put in place for vehicle movement after floods washed away the road bridge three years ago in Dobhane. However, floods have washed away the diversion many times. The diversion was washed away by floods after continuous rainfall on Jestha 8th of this year.

Baba Menyangbo, Vice-Chairman of Yangwarak Rural Municipality, said that diversions are built when the water flow in the river subsides, without causing long disruptions to the road. "There are many citizens above the river as well. That's why we build diversions as soon as the river subsides," he said, "But every time we build it, it gets washed away."

Locals are worried about when the new bridge will be constructed after the under-construction road bridge was washed away by floods this year. Ward Chairman Rajendra Khaling Rai of Yangwarak-1 mentioned that locals are in deep worry as the risk of floods and landslides has increased before the start of the monsoon this year, and there is no condition to cross the river.

Meanwhile, the District Disaster Management Committee, in a meeting held on Thursday, decided to take initiatives to ensure the regular operation of roads blocked due to the absence of diversions. The committee stated that it has decided to urge the concerned local levels, project offices, and construction entrepreneurs for this purpose.