Villagers distressed after river sweeps away bridges

Thousands of people in mid-western districts of Myagdi and Baglung have been forced to reel under all sorts of trouble including food shortages and transportation problem when the flooded Roong river swept away more than half a dozen suspension bridges in many places of the district a month ago.

Reports said that the local authorities have been unable to build any makeshift bridges in the areas where the floods caused by incessant monsoon rain has swept away the bridges. What's more, no heed has been paid to make any alternative arrangement so that people can cross the fast flowing river. Having left with no option, the residents of three VDCs in Myagdi district including few more in Baglung district are dangerously crossing the river on boats, hanging on cables and some even just by swimming, putting their life at grave risk.

Locals even said that the supplies of essential commodities to these VDCs have also been hit as businessmen are unable to deliver goods on mulebacks in the absence of the bridges. This has caused food shortages in few of the affected VDCs.

Similarly, since there are no bridges, the free movement of many people in these parts has also been constrained, causing much distress to them.

The flooded river had also swept away dozens of houses in the district with one report claiming that up to 40 families have been displaced because of it. nepalnews.com Aug 06 08