Boat Transport of Stones Intensifies as Nepal Races to Protect Susta from Narayani Flood Threat

Development

Home
Development
Boat Transport of Stones Intensifies as Nepal Races to Protect Susta from Narayani Flood Threat

Boat Transport of Stones Intensifies as Nepal Races to Protect Susta from Narayani Flood Threat

Ecosphere News Correspondent 2026-05-14 13:17:00

Nawalpur, Nepal - The government has intensified river control and embankment construction works in Susta Rural Municipality-5 of Nawalparasi after repeated flooding from the Narayani River began threatening local settlements and the historic territory of Susta. Authorities are now using boats to transport stones across the river as part of an emergency effort to strengthen embankments before the monsoon season.
According to the Irrigation and Water Resources Management Project in Bharatpur, nearly 900 metres of highly vulnerable riverbank east of the Susta bridge are currently undergoing river management and erosion control works. Officials say the intervention became urgent after last year’s floods entered residential areas and increased the risk of further land erosion in Susta.
Project Chief Dr. Narayan Prasad Subedi said the work is being accelerated through the use of an RCC-based “Prokopine” technology, described as a low-cost and effective method for controlling river flow and reducing bank erosion. The technology involves assembling triangular reinforced concrete structures using cement poles, steel rods and iron mesh to alter the river’s current and trap debris carried by floodwaters.
While the front section facing the river current is being protected through the Prokopine system, additional embankments supported by stone walls are also under construction on the rear side. The project estimates that around 10,000 cubic metres of stones will be required.
However, transporting construction materials has become one of the biggest challenges. Since the Narayani riverbed largely contains sand instead of stone, workers have reportedly been travelling four to five kilometres away to collect stones manually by removing layers of sand. The collected materials are then transported by tractor to the riverbank and ferried across the river by boat.
Project engineers stated that using boats has become the only practical option because tractors cannot cross the local bridge and Indian authorities do not permit transport vehicles to pass through Indian territory connected to the area.
Officials also noted that conventional flood-control methods such as gabion net structures are not suitable in the area due to the river’s depth. The Prokopine method was therefore selected as a more viable engineering solution for Susta’s river conditions.
Two construction companies from Chitwan and Pokhara are currently carrying out the works under separate contracts valued at more than Rs 118 million combined. The construction began on Chaitra 1, 2082 BS and is scheduled for completion by Asar 22.
Dr. Subedi said technical teams have been working continuously to complete the project within the limited timeframe before the monsoon intensifies.
Authorities believe the current phase of river control is crucial not only for protecting settlements but also for safeguarding the long-term future of Susta, an area that has historically remained vulnerable to flooding and river erosion from the Narayani River.
#EcosphereNews #Susta #NarayaniRiver #FloodControl #RiverManagement #ClimateAdaptation #Nepal #Nawalparasi #DisasterRiskReduction #Infrastructure #FloodProtection #EnvironmentalNews #WaterResources #ErosionControl #SustainableDevelopment