Nawalparasi, May 30, 2025
Vehicular movement along the critical Narayanghat–Butwal section of the East–West Highway has come to a complete halt after diversions at Chormara and Dumkibas in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) were washed away by overnight flooding.
Superintendent of Police Yadav Dhakal from the District Police Office, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), confirmed that the alternative routes, which were constructed as temporary measures following the collapse of bridges at Chormara and Dumkibas, could not withstand the heavy rainfall on Thursday night.
“The diversions built through the riverbed have been swept away, and we have begun work to construct new alternative roads,” said Dhakal. The disruption has left hundreds of passengers stranded in the Chormara and Dumkibas areas, with no immediate solution in sight.
This road section has faced repeated challenges since the Chormara Bridge collapsed on Baisakh 29 (mid-May) and the Dumkibas Bridge on Poush 26 (early January). Temporary diversions were set up to facilitate vehicular movement, but the infrastructure has proven inadequate against the rising waters during heavy rains.
Efforts are underway to restore connectivity; however, the recurring failure of temporary structures highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions. The incident underscores the vulnerability of Nepal’s critical roadways to extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change.
Authorities have urged travelers to avoid the area until further notice, while alternative arrangements are being explored to assist stranded passengers.
This situation calls for immediate action from the concerned authorities to expedite the construction of permanent, resilient infrastructure to prevent future disruptions and safeguard the livelihoods dependent on this crucial transportation artery.
