Tsum Valley access is slowly coming back after local residents in Gorkha spent two weeks rebuilding routes cut off by the October 11 Budhigandaki floods. The temporary reopening of the Tsum Valley road on Sunday, after 15 days of closure, is a welcome relief for communities that had no alternative route. For builders and engineers, it is also a practical lesson in how fast local effort can restore basic connectivity.
What Happened to Tsum Valley Access
The floods followed an avalanche that blocked the Ungilung Stream and caused heavy damage in the lower parts of Gorkha district. Several roads and bridges were swept away, which isolated villages and disrupted the movement of people, livestock and essential supplies. A cantilever bridge at Sardibhir in Ward No. 6 of Chumnubri Rural Municipality was among the structures lost, cutting off the valley.
According to the District Administration Office in Gorkha, 108 houses and sheds were damaged across Chumnubri, Dharche and Aarughat rural municipalities. The floods also swept away six suspension bridges, two motorable bridges, a Bailey bridge and another cantilever bridge at Yaru.
Four Wooden Bridges Over Syar Stream
Residents began clearing debris and rebuilding paths soon after the disaster. Chumnubri Rural Municipality Chair Nima Lama said four wooden bridges have been built across the Syar Stream. People, livestock and mules can now move to and from the valley.
In Dharche Rural Municipality, villagers built a temporary wooden bridge after the flood took out both a Bailey bridge and a suspension bridge linking Dobhan in Ward No. 3 with Hulchuk in Ward No. 1. Movement there resumed last Monday. Residents also reopened the route between Khorlabeshi and Tatopani within days, and local youths cleared mud from the road between Khorlabeshi and Jagat so pedestrians and mules could pass. Drones were used to deliver food to communities facing shortages.
Army and Road Project Clear the Main Road
The local government is working with the Nepali Army and the Gorkha Road Project to reopen the Benighat–Aarughat–Larke road. The project office has cleared the Arukhet–Dobhan section, and the Army is working on Dobhan to Salleri. The hardest part is the road from Salleri to Jagat, where mud and debris cover a 1.5-kilometre stretch. Lieutenant Colonel Ramasagar Yadav, chief of the Army road construction task force, said clearing could take a few more days, and pedestrians, mules and motorcycles could reach Pangsing soon.
Essential Services Return
- The Sirdibas Uhiya Micro Hydropower Project resumed operations within four days, restoring electricity.
- The Aarughat bridge linking Gorkha and Dhading was repaired within six days, with the Army installing a Bailey bridge.
- Larger vehicles, including tipper trucks, have crossed the Aarughat bridge since Monday.
What This Means for Builders
The recovery shows that temporary timber bridges and quick debris clearing can bring back Tsum Valley access long before permanent structures are ready. It also shows why river crossings in hill districts need careful design. For wider context on flood damage to property, read our report on Bhotekoshi flood losses.
Source: Onlinekhabar English – Budhigandaki floods: Locals spend two weeks restoring access to Tsum Valley