A total of 43 places along Narayangadh-Muglin road section have been identified as at risk of landslides, according to a recent study conducted by the Road Division Office, Bharatpur.
The study found that eight locations are at high risk, 22 at moderate risk, and 13 at low risk. Among them, Tuin Khola has been categorized as a particularly high-risk area.
Office engineer Arjun Ghimire shared that Kali Khola and Namsi Khola, along with Tuin Khola, are among the most vulnerable areas of this 33.25 km-road section.
Ghimire added that other high-risk areas include the stretch between Tuin Khola and Chisenji, two locations at Char Kilo, Mauri Khola and Seti Dobhan.
He explained, "Falling rocks are a major problem between Tuin Khola and Chisenji while areas near Tuin, Kali, and Namsi rivers are highly prone to landslides."
Ghimire further mentioned that of the two locations at Char Kilo, one faces landslide risks and the other is vulnerable to mudflows. Mauri Khola and Seti Dobhan face high risk of debris-filled landslides.
Additional areas identified as risk-prone include Sohra Kilo, Satra Kilo, Dumre Khola and Simaltal. These areas have been under the threat of landslides since last year.
Narayan Lamichhane, Chief of the Road Division Office, Bharatpur, said that they have already submitted a procurement master plan to the Department of Roads to mitigate landslide risks in the Tuin, Kali, and Namsi rivers while the design process is in its final stage.
He shared that Rs 250 million has been allocated from the disaster management funds to implement disaster risk reduction measures in high-risk areas, with an additional Rs 200 million has been set aside for other vulnerable sections along the road.
According to Lamichhane, a budget of Rs 200 million has been allocated for landslide prevention in other areas as well.
Stating that preparations have been made for a tender for landslide prevention works, he said the mapping work is complete, and the tender will be called in a few days.
Landslide prevention and mitigation work will be carried out in risky areas before the monsoon, he added.
The Office has said that it has made the necessary preparations as roads may be at risk of landslides with the onset of the rainy season.
A few years ago, the earth on the slope above the road was cut during road expansion.
The road traffic is interrupted during the rainy season when the debris from the slope cut during the road expansion and landslides from new areas fall on the road.
More than 10,000 vehicles pass daily along this road. This road is considered a lifeline for the federal capital, Kathmandu.
