In West Myagdi, the Ben–Darbang road has been rendered impassable due to continuous heavy rainfall, which caused landslides at the Fapar Khet area, a border between Beni Municipality-4 and Mangala Rural Municipality-2. This critical road, often referred to as the ‘lifeline’ of western Myagdi, has historically faced blockages even with minimal rainfall, causing significant inconvenience for residents.
The ongoing rain and landslides have severely hampered the ability to clear debris and resume transportation, as reported by Kumar K.C., a local entrepreneur from Tatopani. This disruption has particularly affected students traveling from places like Simlchaur and Simla, who are heading to Tatopani for their studies. The road also serves as a crucial link connecting Dhaulagiri, Malika, and Mangala Rural Municipalities to the district headquarters in Beni Bazaar, exacerbating the issue during the monsoon season.
Path Bahadur Rokaya, the ward chairperson of Malika-6, explained that the Ben–Darbang road, built between steep slopes and the Myagdi River, faces increased risks every monsoon. The road has been constructed with retaining walls to prevent landslides, but these measures have proven insufficient. According to Rokaya, landslides have spread over an area approximately 200 meters above and 150 meters wide from the road, causing significant disruption.
Despite spending millions over the past fifteen years on upgrades and repairs, the landslide issue at Fapar Khet remains a persistent problem. As the landslides continue to widen, the road faces increasing risks even during non-monsoon periods, complicating transportation further. The construction of alternative routes and a suspension bridge over the Myagdi River remains limited to preliminary studies, leaving travelers from three local municipalities in western Myagdi struggling to access Beni.
This ongoing situation underscores the pressing need for more effective measures to ensure the safety and functionality of crucial transport routes, which are vital not only for local communities but also for tourism and economic activities in the region.
