Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Nepal Floods Leave Communities Relying on Ziplines After Bridges Collapse
Floods hit northern Nepal on 26 August and washed away many bridges.
This made it very hard for people to travel between villages and towns.
In some places, people now cross the Trishuli River on long ziplines.
The ziplines carry people, food, supplies and workers.
In Devi Ghat, one zipline is 250 metres long.
Police and volunteers help people use the lines safely.
Many homes were destroyed or became unsafe because of mud and loose ground.
Some families are staying in schools or rented homes.
The Nepal Army is building a new bridge, but rain is slowing the work.
Floods on 26 August washed away around 20 bridges and damaged roads, cell towers and settlements in northern Nepal.
In Devi Ghat, homes were destroyed and a bridge over the Trishuli River was replaced temporarily by a 250-metre zipline.
Similar ziplines in Betrawati, Devighat and other areas carry residents, relief supplies and aid workers across the river.
Local volunteers, Nepal Armed Police personnel and Nepal Red Cross volunteers help operate the crossings, which can carry two people at a time.
The Nepal Army is building a replacement bridge at Devi Ghat, while displaced families face unstable silt, scarce food and damaged homes.
- Who
- Residents of Rasuwa and Nuwakot, local volunteers, Nepal Armed Police personnel, Nepal Red Cross volunteers and the Nepal Army are involved.
- What
- Floods destroyed homes, roads and around 20 bridges, leading communities to use temporary ziplines to cross the Trishuli River and transport supplies.
- When
- The floods struck on 26 August; a zipline at the Trishuli crossing was installed on 2 September, and the Devi Ghat replacement bridge was expected to take another three to four days.
- Where
- Devi Ghat, Betrawati and other communities along the Trishuli River in Nepal, including Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts.
- Why
- The floods washed away bridges and damaged roads, leaving residents without normal routes between communities, markets, towns and relief centres.
- Flood date
- 26 August
- Affected districts
- Rasuwa and Nuwakot, northern Nepal
- Bridge damage
- Around 20 bridges on the Trishuli River were washed away
- Devi Ghat zipline
- 250 metres long
- Zipline uses
- Transporting people, food, relief materials, essentials and aid workers
- Zipline capacity
- The Trishuli crossing allows two people to travel at a time
- Replacement bridge
- The Nepal Army was building one at Devi Ghat, expected to take another three to four days
