Authorities Step Up Efforts to Reopen Prithvi Highway, Rasuwagadhi Route After Flood Damage

Authorities have intensified efforts to reopen the Prithvi Highway and the road to Rasuwagadhi after severe flooding in the Bhotekoshi River caused widespread damage to roads and bridges in Rasuwa and surrounding districts.

Around 40 kilometres of road in Rasuwa has been completely destroyed, including the section connecting Betrawati with Syafrubesi and Rasuwagadhi via Mailung. Another 10-kilometre section between Galchhi and Trishuli remains closed.

The Prithvi Highway has also been badly affected, with around 13 kilometres of the road covered in mud and debris. Clearing the debris and reopening the highway has been identified as the first priority in the ongoing recovery effort.

The floods have completely destroyed 41 bridges, creating additional challenges for restoring road connectivity. The government has seven Bailey bridges of up to 50 metres in length, with preparations underway to install them at locations where they can help restore damaged road links.

India and China have also committed to providing additional Bailey bridges to support the immediate restoration of transport infrastructure.

A Bailey bridge is being prepared for installation at Betrawati as authorities work to reconnect Rasuwa with the national road network. Until the road to Betrawati is reopened, however, access to Dhunche and onward to Syafrubesi remains disrupted.

A total of 20 pieces of heavy equipment have been mobilised to speed up the reopening work, including 10 provided by the government and 10 from the private sector.

Authorities are prioritising the reopening of the Prithvi Highway and restoration of the Rasuwa road corridor, with efforts focused on clearing damaged sections, installing temporary bridges and restoring transport connectivity to the Rasuwagadhi border.