The suspension bridge over the Simbuwa River, which is on the route to the South Basecamp of the world’s third-highest mountain, Kanchenjunga, has been swept away by floodwaters.
Krisna Gurung, ward chairperson of Yamphudin-8, Sirijunga Rural Municipality, said the bridge located at Torongdin was destroyed by the flood. According to Gurung, the bridge was originally constructed by a remote area development committee under the then District Development Committee before the local government restructuring.
The flood that swept away the bridge is estimated to have occurred on the night of Asar 28. Without the bridge, access to the South Basecamp is currently completely blocked.
The route from Yamphudin to the basecamp passes through Naya Jhoreni, Jhande Danda, Dundu Danda, and Torongdin. This trail is popular among both domestic and international trekkers from Bhadra to Mangsir (August to November).
“The river will only be crossable once its water level goes down,” said Gurung. “But during the monsoon season, the river doesn’t reduce in flow.” While there is a water shortage in the lower valleys like Auli, flood risks in the mountain region are increasing sharply. Gurung added, “We never know exactly when heavy rains or floods will occur in the mountains; the rivers rise suddenly and that’s when we get warnings.”
