Locals of Rip in Sarkegad Rural Municipality–2, Humla, have been forced to cross the Karnali River of Khadikhet at risk after the wooden bridge was washed away on July 21. Resident Dilli Bahadur Mahatara said the wooden suspension bridge had been swept away due to continuous rainfall over the past few days.
According to Mahatara, after the bridge was washed away, residents of Rip have faced difficulties reaching the rural municipality center, the district headquarters Simkot, and even traveling outside the district. He added that the transportation of development materials like cement, iron rods, cooking gas cylinders, and daily essentials into the village has also been affected. Locals now have to walk for hours to reach the municipality center or access roads.
Locals stated that from their settlement on one side, they can watch vehicles moving along the Karnali Corridor on the opposite bank. However, they expressed that the Karnali River has become an obstacle in connecting them to the road, as the area lacks a concrete bridge. Locals have also expressed that they are compelled to use cable crossings to cross the river, risking their lives. There is an urgent need for a suspension bridge at Khadikhet.
