KATHMANDU: The BP Highway, the shortest road link to Kathmandu for several districts in eastern Nepal, could remain shut for at least a week as floods on October 3 and 4 swept away diversions built at different locations last year.
The floods in the Roshi River, triggered by heavy rainfall, damaged diversions on the Chaukidanda–Nepalthok section of the highway.
According to officials of the Department of Roads, floods in the Roshi River have washed away over four kilometers of diversion. The Division Road Office in Khalte said that the diversions were swept away at 16 different points between Chaukidanda and Barkhekhola. The office estimates that it would take about a week to rebuild them.
Similarly, three other diversion sections up to Nepalthok have also been washed away, according to the office.
The Division Road Office, Bhaktapur, plans to begin repair and reconstruction work only after the water level in the Roshi River recedes.
The government has already awarded tenders for two packages for the repair and rehabilitation of the BP Highway, which was damaged at different locations due to floods in September last year.
Officials say since contractors have already deployed equipment at the site, the damaged sections of the highway can be reopened soon.
