Residents of Tinau Rural Municipality-2, Dovan of Palpa, have been enduring hardships for three months due to the collapse of a critical road connecting Dovan, Jhyangla, and Hariyali villages. The road at Banchare Pahad, between Jamune and Jhyangla, sank following a landslide, halting the operation of vehicles.

The landslide damaged an 80-metre stretch of the road, leaving over half a dozen settlements without access to vehicles or a shorter route for transportation. According to local resident Sherjung Thapa, vehicular movement ceased months ago due to the damage left unaddressed for months. “For the past three to four months, no vehicles have been able to travel past this area,” he said.

The collapse was triggered when the swollen Dovan River eroded the area, resulting in a 15-metre stretch of the road sinking. Locals from villages including Jhyangla, Bagaha, Paltange, Khulkhule, Bhutaha, Hariyali, Hapur and Mahapur now face severe challenges, including difficulties even for pedestrian movement. Makeshift ladders, which have been used to traverse the perilous path, always put the lives of travelers at risk.

During peak river flow, residents rely on footbridges to cross to other villages for access to vehicles and services. The situation has disrupted daily life, including critical needs such as transporting the deceased for last rites.

The problem began last year when lower sections of the road started to sink, progressively worsening over the months. Tinau Rural Municipality Chairperson Prem Shrestha stated that a temporary alternative route has now been prepared using hume pipes, enabling some movement as river levels recede.

“We have drawn the attention of the President Chure-Terai Madhesh Conservation Development Board about the landslide as it falls within a Chure and forested area,” Shrestha explained. “Due to limited resources, the municipality could not act immediately, but a temporary road has been built near Passkund on the Dovan-Kachal road.”

Efforts to permanently repair the road are yet to begin, leaving residents in continued uncertainty.