Landslide obstructs a road section of Prithvi Highway in Vyas Municipality of Tanahun district in this recent photo. Photo: RSS

July 1: Floods and landslides have damaged several roads and bridges across the country.  Within two weeks since the onset of this year's monsoon, floods and landslides have caused an estimated damage of more than Rs 1 billion to the infrastructure. The Department of Roads revealed the data after a preliminary assessment on the extent of damage caused by floods.

The flood between May 14 and June 29 has blocked roads in 61 places across various highways and auxiliary highways. According to the statistics of the department, roads are still blocked in 10 places. Roads in other places have resumed service through single lane.

Spokesperson and Deputy Director-General of the Department  Shiva Prasad Nepal informed that the damage estimate is preliminary. "The monsoon is in its starting phase and has caused damage of more than Rs 1 billion,” Nepal said, adding that the damages are likely to increase as the rainy season is far from over.

In the previous years, the monsoon caused estimated damage of Rs 2 to 3 billion. Although billions of rupees are lost annually due to floods and landslides, the government has not allocated a separate budget for reconstruction.

The Department of Roads has been demanding a separate budget for maintenance, reconstruction, and rehabilitation, but has not received such budget. For the rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged roads and bridges, the department has been carrying out maintenance work within the regular budget.

"It is not possible repair the roads with the regular budget of the department," Nepal said, adding, “We have requested the government to allocate the budget by assessing the extent of damage.”

He said that the department has not been able to get the budget for maintenance even after assessing the damage in the last five years. Due to this, the maintenance has been done by mobilizing the regular budget, he Nepal. According to him, the regular work has been hampered by transferring money from the regular budget for maintenance of roads damaged by disasters.

For emergency work, a budget of Rs 100 million has been allocated. The budget allocated for the emergency purpose is for 37 divisional road offices, 13 mechanical and heavy equipment offices under the department..

Currently, Manang and Araniko highways are blocked. There are very narrow roads in Manang. It is not possible to reach the other side without removing the landslide. "The main priority right now is to open the road unilaterally. Unless the weather improves, two-way lane will not be opened because it is likely to cause more landslides and more damage," he said.