The Gamgadhi-Tarapani-Sorukot road has been rendered impassable for over two weeks following a landslide at Aashidhara in Soru Rural Municipality-8. The landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall, washed away a 10-meter stretch of the road, making travel to and from Gamgadhi, the district headquarters of Mugu, a challenging ordeal.
The disruption has severely affected not only the residents but also tourists and trekkers who rely on this route for access to the remote areas of Mugu. Travelers are now forced to navigate the hazardous 10-meter section on foot and switch vehicles at Ashidhara, causing significant delays and inconvenience.
Efforts have been made by the Soru Rural Municipality to clear multiple landslides along the road from Ashidhara to Patihalna, which marks the border between Soru Rural Municipality and Chhayanath Rara Municipality. However, technical challenges have prevented the repair of the critical section at Ashidhara, and the excavator used for clearing the debris has been withdrawn, according to local resident Sarjan Bahadur Shahi.
The road, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Karnali provincial government, was originally constructed under the Rural Access Programme (RAP-III) with financial support from the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). Despite its importance, the provincial government has yet to address the repair needs, a situation lamented by Dharma Bahadur Shahi, the Chairman of Soru Rural Municipality.
The road closure has led to a spike in the prices of consumer goods and construction materials in the affected areas, further exacerbating the economic strain on local communities. The disruption also poses a significant threat to the region’s tourism sector, which relies heavily on accessible transportation routes for both domestic and international visitors.
As the situation persists, the need for prompt government intervention is critical to restore normalcy and support the local economy, which is already feeling the impact of the road’s closure.
