Efforts Underway to Drain Lake Formed by Marsyangdi River Blockage

Kathmandu: Authorities have begun efforts to restore the flow of the Marsyangdi River after incessant rainfall blocked the river at Ghattekhola in Manang with rocks, gravel and sand, creating a lake upstream.

Assistant Chief District Officer of Manang Krishna Prasad Paudel said work is underway to drain water from the lake formed by the blockage. The river is currently flowing partially after its course was diverted by the debris.

“Some work has been started using locally available equipment, including excavators,” Paudel said. “Large rocks need to be broken to drain the water from the lake.”

According to Paudel, several houses in the area have been flooded after the river changed its course. Authorities are taking precautions to protect communities downstream as they prepare to blast large rocks blocking the river upstream.

Lokendra Bahadur Ghale, chairperson of Chame Rural Municipality, said opening the river as soon as possible would help ease concerns among local residents and allow them to return to their homes.

He also warned of potential risks in downstream areas when the large rocks are blasted to clear the river channel.

The floods and landslides have disrupted electricity, drinking water, telephone and internet services in the area, while road networks have been completely blocked.

Flooding in the Humde River, accompanied by landslides, has severely affected Ward No. 4 of Ngsyang Rural Municipality, with floodwater and mud entering nearby settlements. Electricity supply has also been disrupted after a small hydropower plant operating on the Sabje River was damaged.

Manang has experienced similar major flooding in the past. In 2021, floods in the Ghatekhola, Thado River and Marsyangdi River caused extensive physical damage across the district.