Kathmandu, 30 September (H.S.): A major section of the famous suspension bridge linking Bhimdatta Municipality with Dodhara-Chandani in Nepal’s Kanchanpur district was swept away after flooding in the Mahakali River, severing direct pedestrian access between Dodhara-Chandani and the district headquarters.

At around 8 a.m. on Wednesday, the powerful river current caused a key support pillar of the bridge, located in the middle of the Mahakali River, to collapse. A large section of the bridge subsequently fell into the river and was swept away by the strong current.

According to local police, severe riverbank erosion around the sixth pillar from the Bhimdatta Municipality side and the third pillar from the Dodhara-Chandani side weakened the foundations. The pillar was eventually washed away by the force of the river, resulting in the collapse of a major span of the bridge.

The bridge is regarded as one of Asia’s longest multi-span pedestrian suspension bridges. Its damage has created significant transportation difficulties for local residents, who relied on the structure for direct pedestrian access to the district headquarters.

In view of the continuing risk of flooding and erosion along vulnerable sections of the river and around the bridge, the local administration has placed the area on high alert.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar