Efforts are underway to clear the Marsyangdi river, which was partially blocked by mud, silt and debris brought down by floods and landslides in Chame, the district headquarters of Manang.

Three machines, including excavators and a bulldozer, were deployed from Tuesday morning to clear the river and ease the flow. The district administration said it was trying to remove the blockage without using explosives.

Floods and landslides in Ghatte river, which runs through the Chame market area, on Sunday carried a large volume of mud and debris into the Marsyangdi, partially blocking the river. The blockage flooded around nine houses on the opposite side of Chame Bazar. Floods and landslides on Saturday and Sunday also damaged at least six houses in the market area.

Chief District Officer Mukti Prasad Khanal said workers were removing mud, sand and debris accumulated along the river channel. The Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police and residents have been involved in the operation since Tuesday morning.

“At present, we are using machines to increase the flow of water and widen the river channel,” Khanal said. “As it could affect houses and a bridge in the market area, we will not use explosives immediately. We will resort to explosives only if other options fail.”

Khanal said the river had not been completely blocked but was only partially obstructed. A large amount of sand and debris has accumulated along with the water at the blocked section. As the flow rises, erosion has begun affecting part of the motorable bridge leading towards upper Manang. With the Marsyangdi flowing over the bridge, the structure and nearby houses are at risk.

“We can protect the bridge and houses if we can excavate and widen the river channel properly. That is what we are working on,” Khanal said.

Meanwhile, a temporary structure has been built across the Ghatte river by placing electricity poles across the river, allowing people to cross. Assistant Chief District Officer Krishna Prasad Paudel said the structure was built to ease movement after floods and landslides damaged roads and bridges.

According to Paudel, the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police and residents jointly built the structure for pedestrian movement. Vehicles cannot use the structure at present.

The district administration said the Marsyangdi’s flow had been declining since Monday compared with Sunday and had decreased further on Tuesday. As the river level continues to fall, the risk has also eased somewhat, according to the administration.