Kali Gandaki Flood Sweeps Away Bridge Linking Syangja and Gulmi

A major road bridge over the Kali Gandaki River linking Syangja and Gulmi districts has been swept away by floodwaters following four days of continuous rainfall, cutting an important transport connection between the two districts.

The bridge connected Mirmi in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-7 of Syangja with Harmichaur in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-1 of Gulmi. It was washed away at around 6 a.m. on Sunday after the swollen river first damaged the structure before eventually carrying it away.

The collapse has disrupted road and transport services between Syangja and Gulmi. The route was also used by vehicles travelling from the Syangja side towards Gulmi and onward towards Butwal, making the bridge an important link beyond the two neighbouring districts.

An old bridge under pressure

The bridge was constructed in the mid-1990s during the development of the Kali Gandaki “A” Hydropower Project. Reports put its length at around 50 metres and say it was built with assistance from the Italian government.

However, the bridge had been showing signs of deterioration for years.

A report published earlier this month noted that the structure had remained in a weakened condition for more than a decade. River erosion around its pillars had raised concerns about the bridge’s safety, while local residents and vehicle operators had repeatedly called for a replacement.

Earlier reporting had also described the bridge as being in a severely deteriorated state, with commuters concerned that continued use could become dangerous. The structure had reportedly undergone repairs in the past, but calls for a stronger replacement bridge had continued.