Composite wall built to control Myagdi River erosion

KATHMANDU: A composite technology retaining wall has been constructed at Singa Tatopani in Beni Municipality-4, Myagdi, to control riverbank erosion and flooding of the Myagdi River.

Under the current fiscal year 2081/82, the federal and provincial governments allocated budgets for irrigation and water resource management projects along different sections of the Myagdi River.

The Pokhara Irrigation and Water Resource Management Project and the Division Office of Water Resources, Irrigation, and Drinking Water have jointly completed the construction of durable retaining walls at key vulnerable sites.

The two projects, which commenced last Falgun were completed before the onset of the monsoon season, local resident Dinesh KC confirmed.

Sahana-BRT JV Parbat secured a contract worth Rs 15.5 million to build the composite retaining wall beneath Saraswati Secondary School in Tatopani.

The overall estimated cost of this project was Rs 27 million.

According to Narjang Gurung, Engineer at the Irrigation and Water Resource Management Project, the composite wall measures 66 meters in length, 4 meters in width, and 3 meters in height, consisting of concrete topped with gabion baskets to effectively prevent riverbank erosion.

Meanwhile, Shanti Nirman Sewa, contracted with Rs 5 million from the Water Resources, Irrigation and Drinking Water Division Office, has built a reinforced retaining wall behind the Upper Tatopani Market.

The division chief engineer, Jhalak Mohan Ojha, stated that a 40-meter-long retaining structure composed of piles, sheet piles, and gabion walls has been erected.

The Myagdi River caused significant damage in 2078 BS (2021-22), eroding riverbanks in Tatopani’s Faparkhet and Masar areas, destroying two houses in Masar.

The Saraswati Secondary School, Jwalamai Bhagawati Mother’s Group building in Faparkhet, and 17 houses in Masar remain at risk from further erosion.

Approximately 100 households residing in Upper Tatopani Market are also vulnerable to riverbank erosion.

Previously, gabion walls were used to control the river, but from this year onwards, permanent concrete walls are being constructed, said ward chairperson Anbahadur Khadka.

A multi-year budget of Rs 100 million has been secured this fiscal year for riverbank erosion control projects in Singa Tatopani and Beni Market, known for their natural therapeutic springs.

Contract procedures are underway for the project’s implementation.

Engineer Gurung further added that a 102-meter composite wall is planned for Tatopani, alongside a 165-meter wall behind Darbang Market in Beni to reinforce riverbank protection.