Recent floods and landslides in Nepal caused extensive damage to major highways and roads, with 55 bridges destroyed or severely impacted. The Department of Roads continues repair work, while traffic police are suggesting alternative routes to keep traffic flowing.

In support of Nepal’s reconstruction efforts, the Government of India has sent the first consignment of components for ten prefabricated steel bridges. These bridges, requested by the Government of Nepal, aim to restore road connectivity disrupted by the floods and landslides. The total cost of the bridges exceeds NPR 38 crore, provided as a grant by the Indian government.

The first consignment was officially handed over by Shri Devi Sahai Meena, Consul General of India in Birgunj, to Dinesh Sagar Bhusal, Chief District Officer of Parsa. The remaining consignments will be delivered in the coming days.

The Nepal government has also planned to bring 20 Bailey bridges from India to provide alternative crossings where bridges were washed away or heavily damaged. The heavy rains on September 27-28 caused severe flooding, resulting in the loss of more than 245 lives and extensive property damage.

In response, the government declared 14 districts as disaster crisis zones for three months to facilitate relief distribution and rehabilitation efforts.

By – Sweta Singh  (Kathmandu)