A Permanent Night Warrior: Tributes Pour in for Road Supervisor Lost to Roshi River Floods
A heroic rescue attempt ended in tragedy on Friday evening as a dedicated employee of the Division Road Office, Bhaktapur, was swept away by the flood-fed Roshi River. Kunsang Tamang, a supervisor working on the reconstruction of the BP Highway, lost his life while attempting to save travelers stranded in the rising waters. The incident has coincided with widespread landslides that have once again paralyzed one of Nepal’s most vital transit lifelines. The deceased, identified as 40-year-old Kunsang Tamang of Roshi Rural Municipality-7, was a permanent supervisor tasked with overseeing night-time construction on the vulnerable BP Highway. According to Inspector Iswor Karki of the Area Police Office, Mangaltar, Tamang was at his post when he witnessed two individuals on a motorcycle struggling to cross a swelling section of the river.
In a selfless act, Tamang attempted to rescue the duo. While the motorcyclists managed to abandon their vehicle and scramble to the safety of a nearby excavator, Tamang was caught by the sudden, powerful current. His body was recovered downstream following the Friday night downpour. The flash flood was so intense that it also carried away a motorcycle and an electric vehicle in the vicinity.
The same rainfall has triggered a series of landslides, cutting off the federal capital from eastern Nepal. Since 6:00 PM Friday, the Bhakunde–Nepalthok section has been completely obstructed. High water levels in the Khahare River and debris flow have blocked the highway at Biruwandanda, Kaldhunga, Chaukidanda, and Mangaltar.
The District Traffic Police Office in Kavrepalanchok reports that the situation is particularly critical because much of the traffic currently relies on temporary diversions built directly on the riverbed—remnants of the devastating floods from last September. These diversions become impassable even with moderate rainfall. Efforts to clear the debris began early this morning as water levels started to recede, with the Department of Roads and security personnel working in coordination. However, with the loss of a veteran supervisor like Kunsang Tamang, the road-building community in Kavre is in mourning. For now, travelers are advised to remain at Dhulikhel or Nepalthok until the highway is officially declared safe for passage.
