A road section leading to Resunga Airport in Gulmi has been completely blocked after around 80 metres of paved road collapsed at Simichaur in Resunga Municipality-10 following incessant rainfall. The road damage has disrupted access to Resunga Airport as well as the Tamghas–Simichaur–Rangbas–Khajryang–Ridi road section, affecting transportation between several parts of the district. According to local authorities, the collapse has made it impossible for regular vehicles to operate along the affected section. Even motorcycles are finding it difficult and risky to pass through the damaged area.
More Than Rs 10 Million in Preliminary Damage
The preliminary estimate puts the damage caused by the road collapse at more than Rs 10 million. The extent of the damage is expected to be assessed in greater detail as authorities inspect the affected section and surrounding areas. The road failure has also raised concerns about further damage if rainfall continues. The affected area remains vulnerable to additional landslides and soil erosion.
Two Houses at High Risk
The landslide triggered by the road collapse has also placed two local houses at high risk. Local resident Til Bahadur Kunwar said he narrowly escaped the landslide and expressed concern about the safety of his house and family if heavy rainfall continues. Residents in the area remain fearful that further rainfall could cause additional soil movement and potentially sweep away nearby houses. The continuing instability of the land has added to concerns among residents living close to the damaged road.
Newly Completed Road Damaged Within Months
The affected road was constructed by the Urban Development and Building Construction Office, Palpa, under the Integrated Road Upgrading Programme. The construction was completed only at the end of the last fiscal year. The road has now suffered significant damage before completing even a year of operation, with officials attributing the collapse to the impact of continuous rainfall. The incident has also raised concerns about the vulnerability of newly constructed infrastructure to extreme rainfall and landslides in hilly areas.
Temporary Route to Be Opened
Ghanshyam Yadav, an engineer at the Urban Development and Building Construction Office, said preparations were underway to open a temporary route through the affected area within one or two days to facilitate transportation. According to Yadav, efforts are being made to restore basic vehicular movement as soon as possible.
However, the complete reconstruction of the collapsed paved road will take additional time, as the damaged section requires more extensive work. Authorities are expected to focus first on establishing temporary access before undertaking permanent reconstruction of the damaged road.
Students and Airport Passengers Among Those Affected
The road collapse has directly affected a wide range of people who depend on the route for daily transportation. Students travelling from the surrounding areas to Tamghas, the district headquarters, have been affected by the disruption. Passengers travelling to and from Resunga Airport have also faced difficulties reaching the airport due to the blocked road.
Local residents and other travellers using the Tamghas–Simichaur–Rangbas–Khajryang–Ridi route have likewise been affected. With the road serving as an important transportation link for local communities as well as airport passengers, authorities are under pressure to restore access quickly while ensuring that the temporary route remains safe amid continued rainfall.
