Kathmandu, Sept. 19 -- Mud, unstable ground and steep cliffs are hampering efforts to reopen the Dhunge-Betrawati road, a key route linking the flood-hit areas with the rest of the country.

The road section between Galchhi and Dhunge is largely operational. At Ratmate, a 200-metre section between Galchhi and Devighat, a new track has been opened after the Trishuli river washed away the road from below.

A bridge over the Kolpu Khola on the Galchhi-Bidur section has also been repaired and reopened, said Shubharaj Neupane, deputy director general and spokesperson for the Department of Roads. The Nepali Army has installed a temporary Acrow bridge at Devighat.

Workers have cleared mud, sand and debris from sections between Devighat and Tris...