September 6: A team of experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is coming to study the Melamchi Water Supply Project that has been damaged by the recent floods. It has been learnt that the team will study the geology of the upper part of the project.

The team will study Thegrini in Bhremathang and the current situation of Melamchi, which has been badly affected by flood and landslide during this monsoon. The Ministry of Water Supply and Irrigation had requested the ADB to conduct a study stating that the area was at risk. According to the Ministry of Water Supply and Irrigation, ADB has already sent a letter approving the Terms of Reference (TOR). Spokesperson at the Ministry Ramesh Neupane said the that the ADB team is preparing to visit the site.

"A team of experts will arrive within a week to study the Melamchi Water Supply Project," he said.

Currently, organizations including ICIMOD are studying the geological condition of Bhremathang independently. However, the Ministry of Water Supply and Irrigation has requested the ADB for a detailed study. ADB is also the development partner of the Melamchi Water Supply Project.

Avalanches have been accumulating in the areas above Melamchi for years. This has posed a risk to the Melamchi project. The floods on the Melamchi River have damaged the headworks, two temporary tunnels, and a motorable bridge. The Water Supply Project has submitted an action plan to the Ministry at a cost of Rs 2.5 billion to resume supply of drinking water to Kathmandu temporarily.

The Melamchi River has been flooded time and again since July 20. The floodwaters are coming from the upper part of the river. That is gradually damaging the site of the Melamchi Water Supply Project.

Spokesperson of the Melamchi Water Supply Development Board Rajendra Prasad Pant said that it was not certain when the project would be completed as the floods have damaged the headworks and caused more damage than estimated.

The board has proposed deploying the Nepalese Army in the rehabilitation of the Melamchi Water Supply Project.

"It's not just the army that does all the work, we have prepared a blueprint for work division," he said. Accordingly, a rehabilitation plan has been prepared.

Many structures are buried. The board plans to hand over the reconstruction of the structure to SinoHydro and the Nepalese Army. Under this rehabilitation work, reconstruction of Ambathan camp, maintenance of main camps at Melamchi Bazaar, and necessary services like drinking water, electricity, and sanitation will be provided in the camps, said Pant.