Car swept away by flood in Dhare Khola, Gulmi

A car was swept away by the swollen Dhare Khola river in Gulmi due to continuous rainfall. The car, with registration number BAA 0017, was heading from Shantipur to Butwal when it got caught in the flood at Urlikhola, Satyawati Rural Municipality-6.

The incident happened around 11:45 AM on Tuesday. The floodwaters carried the car about 50 meters downstream. Locals, with the help of a tractor, pulled the car out of the river, according to the District Police Office, Gulmi.

Although the car was damaged, no one was hurt, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Ganga Bahadur Saru. The lack of a permanent bridge has caused problems for locals in the area for many years.

Since Sunday, Gulmi and nearby areas have seen continuous rain. The rising water level in Dhare Khola has blocked roads, causing long delays. Vehicles coming from Baglung and Bamitsaksar to Butwal have been forced to wait for hours during the rainy season.

Along the road from Ridi to Bamitsaksar, four locations still lack concrete bridges. Vehicles continue to suffer, especially during monsoon season. Without a bridge over the Dhare Khola, vehicles risk being swept away while trying to cross.

The road is very busy, but both the bridge and road conditions are very poor. Social worker Gyanhari Sapkota from Bhuwachidi, Musikot-4, said people are forced to travel in dangerous conditions.

The Road Division Office Palpa is currently building several bridges: Nadeva Khola Pulshahaghat in Satyawati, Dhare Khola bridge in Satyawati, and Bharse Khola bridge in Satyawati and Chandrakot. Bridges are also under construction in Giddi Khola, located between Chandrakot and Musikot municipalities.

This road, which passes through Ridi, Rudrabini, and Bamitsaksar, connects Gulmi to neighboring Baglung district and is one of Gulmi’s oldest routes.