The government has begun repairing and rebuilding suspension footbridges along the Trishuli river after a devastating flood on August 26 destroyed or damaged crossings and severed links between communities in Nuwakot and Dhading.

The damage has disrupted daily life on both sides of the river. With footbridges out of service, residents face long detours to reach markets, schools, health facilities and other essential services.

Repair work has already begun at several locations, including Keureni Bazar and Tarukaghat in Nuwakot. The disruption has forced residents to take longer routes to buy daily necessities and transport farm produce.

A preliminary government assessment found that 53 of the 64 footbridges between Muglin and Timure were damaged in the flood. Officials later determined that 20 required repairs, while 33 would have to be rebuilt.

The government issued work orders for the repair of the damaged footbridges on September 2. Five footbridges are now under repair: Mahesh Dobhan–Mastar, Kalikathan, Malinga–Majhuwatar, Keureni–Gahate and Pimaltar–Jagaram Khola. Authorities aim to complete the repairs within a month.

The government has also called tenders to rebuild the 33 footbridges deemed beyond repair. The projects are expected to restore vital links between rural settlements and market centres cut off by the flood.

The August 26 flooding of the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers also damaged roads, bridges, hydropower projects and settlements along the river corridors. Road collapses and washouts have disrupted transport in several areas.

For communities along the Trishuli, footbridges are more than crossings. They provide access to markets, schools, health posts and jobs. Restoring them is therefore central to bringing daily life back towards normal after the disaster.

Photos: Nepal Photo Library