KATHMANDU: Authorities have begun evacuating passengers stranded in Dhunche following the devastating August 26 floods in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa, using an alternative road route.

The Bagmati Province government has arranged a temporary route to bring pilgrims, tourists and other stranded passengers from Dhunche to the Kathmandu Valley. Chief Minister Kiran Thapa Magar has coordinated the rescue and transportation arrangements.

According to Chief Minister Thapa, stranded passengers will first be provided with food in Dhunche before being transported by vehicle to Mahabir. From there, they will walk for around an hour to Chaugati, where vehicles will be available to take them onward to Kathmandu.

“We have arranged food for those stranded in Dhunche. They will then be transported by vehicle to Mahabir, from where they will walk for about an hour to Chaugati and continue their journey to Kathmandu by vehicle,” Thapa said.

The provincial government has also arranged free bus services for passengers being evacuated to Kathmandu and made provisions for food in Chaugati.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to reopen the Mid-Hill Highway after sections of the road were blocked in the Trishuli area. Once restored, the highway will provide an additional route for residents of Rasuwa and other flood-affected areas to travel to Kathmandu.

Rasuwa reconnects with road network

Road connectivity to Rasuwa has been restored following the disruption caused by the sudden flooding of the Bhote Koshi River on Wednesday morning.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said the road section linking Kathmandu, Tokha, Chhahare, Gadhkhar Bridge, Aapra, Nanja, Lachhyang, Sarmathali and Patikharka with Bogetitar, Kalikasthan and Dhunche has reopened to small four-wheeled vehicles.

The reopening has reconnected Rasuwa to the national road network and is expected to ease rescue and relief operations, as well as facilitate the transportation of essential supplies to communities affected by the floods.