Authorities in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) have decided to suspend the reconstruction of a temporary diversion at the Binayi River, opting instead to wait for the completion of a new bridge along the vital Butwal–Narayanghat road—a key section along the East-West Highway in southern Nepal.
The diversion had served as a makeshift passage for vehicles since January 10, when the Dumkibas Bridge collapsed. The 246-meter bridge was damaged when a 60-tonne capacity lorry, loaded with goods belonging to Shivam Cement, attempted to cross it.
But repeated washouts caused by monsoon rains have rendered the diversion increasingly unsafe. The decision to abandon the temporary fix came after a passenger bus carrying more than three dozen people was swept away by the river late Thursday night. All passengers were rescued with the help of an excavator.
नारायणघाट-बुटवल सडक खण्ड अन्तर्गत विनयी त्रिवेणी-१ स्थित विनयी खोलाको डाइभर्सन पार गर्ने क्रममा पानीको तीव्र बहाव बिच फसेको यात्रुवाहक बसबाट नेपाली सेनाको टोलीले अन्य सुरक्षा निकाय तथा स्थानीयहरूसँगको सहकार्यमा आषाढ ०६ गते बिहान फसेका यात्रुहरूको सकुशल उद्धार गरेको छ । pic.twitter.com/FUwq8yJhDc
— Nepali Army (@NepaliArmyHQ) June 20, 2025
“Given the persistent rainfall and the rising water levels, the diversion has been repeatedly destroyed,” Bhabishwor Pandey, Chief District Officer of Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) told the state-run RSS news agency. “A meeting of district-level stakeholders determined the risk was now too high. We will wait for the new bridge to open.”
The new Dumkibas Bridge is expected to come into operation by June 30, according to the construction team. Until then, light vehicles are being rerouted via Hongshi Cement Gate through Sardi to Dumkibas Bazaar. All freight traffic, however, has been suspended.
Conditions have further deteriorated in the Daunne area, where rain has turned the road into a muddy, impassable track. “At present, vehicle movement in Daunne is simply not possible,” Pandey said. “Urgent repairs are needed, and until then, no heavy vehicles will be allowed, particularly during night hours. We believe full-scale traffic can resume only after the bridge is operational.”
Freight trucks have now been stranded along both sides of the route for five consecutive days. Trucks travelling westward remain stuck near the Binayi River, while eastbound vehicles are backed up in the Daunne hills.
“There is no way for freight vehicles to pass through under current conditions,” Pandey added. “We are advising drivers to return and take alternative routes.”
Local officials have also pointed fingers at contractors involved in the ongoing expansion of the Narayanghat–Butwal road, a project that began in 2018 but remains incomplete. Ghanshyam Giri, chairperson of Binayi Tribeni Rural Municipality, told RSS that poor planning and neglect have worsened the crisis, particularly as the monsoon rains intensify.
(With inputs from RSS)
