Mahandri bridge in Kaghan Valley faces fresh risk from rising debris

MANSEHRA: The Mahandri bridge in Kaghan Valley is again facing danger as silt and debris continue to build up in the stream flowing beneath it, prompting concern among traders, residents and people associated with the tourism sector.

The bridge is regarded as a crucial link in Kaghan Valley, an area described as an important centre for commerce and tourism. The rapid accumulation of mud, silt and other debris under the structure is pushing water levels higher, raising fears that additional rainfall could put the bridge at risk.

People in the area have voiced alarm over the situation, saying the threat has resurfaced despite earlier damage caused by flood surges. Local sources and social circles blamed what they described as poor planning by the irrigation department and a failure to take timely precautionary steps. They said the authorities had not drawn lessons from previous incidents.

Concerns over repeat of earlier losses

The bridge had previously sustained serious damage during flood-related surges, and that episode caused losses worth millions of rupees to traders and farmers. Its closure at the time had also brought tourism activity in Kaghan Valley to a standstill, affecting the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on the sector.

Residents say the bridge is not only a transport crossing but a key route for tourist movement through the valley. They fear that if the stream is not cleared without delay, debris carried by rising water during rains could strike the structure and damage it, disrupting tourist arrivals during the peak season.

Call for immediate action

Local residents and tourism operators have appealed to senior authorities and the district administration to issue immediate directions to the irrigation department for clearance of the stream and removal of debris from beneath and around the bridge.

They warned that any delay in taking emergency steps could lead to major losses of life and property. They also said the departments concerned would be held responsible if preventive action was not taken in time.

The renewed threat to the Mahandri bridge has added to worries in a valley where transport access and tourism activity are closely tied to local livelihoods, and where past damage to the structure has already demonstrated the scale of disruption such an incident can cause.