Bhatauli bridge at risk due to flood damage in Ramechhap

The Bhatauli bridge, which connects Manthali Municipality-7 and Khadadevi Rural Municipality-4, Pakarbas, is at risk of collapsing after being hit by heavy floodwaters on Saturday morning.

According to local resident Kedar Prasad Dhungel, the river had slightly affected the bridge in recent days, but Saturday’s continuous rain and strong current caused serious damage to the pillar on the Pakarbas side. “The support wall has already been washed away, and the bridge is not safe for heavy vehicles anymore,” he said.

Khadadevi-4 Ward Chair Krishna Prasad Paudel said the river is now directly hitting the pillar, further weakening the structure. “Only small vehicles can pass for now,” he added.

After the Khurkot bridge was swept away by floods last year, a temporary Bailey bridge was installed in that area. However, since the Bailey bridge cannot support vehicles weighing over 15 tons, most heavy trucks now use this Bhatauli bridge as an alternative.

Kailash Prasad Dhungel, a resident of Khadadevi and the UML Bagmati Province Committee Chair, urged the concerned authorities to take the damage seriously and begin urgent repairs. He stressed the need to ensure safe and smooth transport in the region.

The bridge was built in 2071/72 BS under the Local Roads Bridge Program (LRBP) with support from the Swiss government, at a cost of around Rs 4 crore by Swachhanda Sirjana JV. It plays a key role in the alternative transport network of Ramechhap, connecting Manthali to Khadadevi, Doramba Shailung, Sunapati, and also serving as an alternate route to Kathmandu.

Locals fear that if the bridge suffers more damage, it could seriously affect transportation and supply routes between Ramechhap and Kathmandu, especially as it had already become the main route after last year’s flood destroyed the Khurkot bridge.