KATHMANDU: A Bailey bridge at Larcha in Sindhupalchowk was washed away by the Bhotekoshi River lately, causing serious damage and obstructing road access to the Tatopani point on the border between China and Nepal. This tragedy has affected local residents and trade by severing a vital link along the Kodari Highway.

Liping, a border hamlet in Nepal, no longer has direct access to the nation's capital due to the bridge's demolition, which was crucial for linking Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality-2 with China. There are challenges for efficient and secure transit because the ropeway is now the sole way to reach the Tatopani point.

In response, Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality-2 Chair Kumar Shrestha stated that the affected population's ability to move around has been aided by the construction of temporary structures by the local administration in conjunction with the Road Division Office. 

With funding assistance from the Office, the local government donated two excavators and a tripper that were used in the endeavor to develop these temporary solutions. But Shrestha pointed out that for the locals, the ropeway isn't a reliable or long-term mode of transit.

The construction of a temporary bridge to allow vehicles to cross is almost finished, but the problem of excessive river flows persists. It is projected that the construction will take more than two days to complete, giving the impacted areas much-needed respite.