People in Tatopani area of Sindhupalchok are facing hardship after the Larcha bridge along the Araniko Highway collapsed in the July 23 landslide. 

Tatopani is cut off from other parts of the district and the Capital city these days. 

Without connectivity, locals fear there could be a possible shortage of food, daily essentials and medicines in the near future. 

Supply of food and medicines to Tatopani has been cut after the bridge collapse, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Bimal Dangi. “The current stocks of food and medicines would not last more than a month,” he warned.

A tuin crossing has been set up over the Bhotekoshi river at Larcha but it has offered little to no respite. There are continuous landslides breaking out in various parts of the area, including Khokundol and Dashkilo. 

“We cannot walk safely to our homes from Larcha because of landslide risk,” said Kanchhi Sherpa, a local woman from Thamigaun who had reached Tatopani after crossing the Bhotekoshi river using the tuin on Thursday. 

Sangdorje Tamang of Thamigaun also shared a similar ordeal. “People living in the Tatopani area are under a constant threat of landslide and flood since the 2015 earthquake. Many families have left their homes due to safety concern,” he said. 

The collapse of Larcha bridge is the latest setback faced by the people in the area that was devastated by the 2015 earthquake and the flood at the Bhotekoshi last year. 

Shanti Shrestha, who runs a shop in Tatopani, said many families who were displaced as a result of earthquake and flood have not returned.

“Only those who have nowhere else to go remain.”