The road connecting district headquarters Manthali to Khadadevi, Doramba Shailung, and Sunapati rural municipalities has remained closed to heavy vehicles since Saturday after flooding in the Bhatauli River damaged a key concrete bridge.

Although small vehicles are still allowed to pass, all freight and heavy transport have been suspended due to structural concerns.

“The same pillar was hit by the river last September, but this time the damage is far more severe,” said resident Kedar Kumar Sarki. Locals have criticised the authorities for failing to address early signs of damage.

The bridge was the key alternative route after the Sunkoshi River swept away the Khurkot Bridge on the Manthali–Sindhuli road last year. A Bailey bridge was later installed at Khurkot, but it restricts vehicles weighing over 15 tonnes, forcing most freight transport to use the Bhatauli route.

According to Sindhuli-based driver Sirjan Tamang, around a dozen trucks carrying materials for the Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Project from Birgunj have been stranded. “Empty trucks can pass through Khurkot, but loaded ones cannot. With this bridge also damaged, we’ve nowhere to go,” he said.

Jyanendra Prasad Pun, chief of the Infrastructure Development Office in Ramechhap, said repair work is progressing despite challenging conditions. “The bridge already had minor damage. The flood struck during repairs, and landslides continue to complicate the work. We’re using five earth movers and aim to reopen the bridge within two days,” he said.

The 40-metre-long concrete bridge, built in fiscal year 2014-15 under the Local Road Bridge Programme with support from the Swiss government, cost around Rs40 million. It is considered an important link in Ramechhap’s alternative road network.