Floods and Landslides Disrupt Major Highways, Affecting Road Transport

Kathmandu : Continuous rainfall has triggered floods and landslides in various parts of the country, disrupting transportation along major highways and road sections. While some roads have been completely blocked, vehicle movement on others has been restricted to specific hours due to safety concerns.

In Sankhuwasabha district of Koshi Province, the Koshi Highway has been completely blocked since a landslide occurred at Neta Bhir in Makalu Rural Municipality–4 at around 10:30 a.m. on Ashoj 2. Police said the affected section has yet to be reopened.

Road transportation has also been affected in several districts of Bagmati Province. On the Khurkot–Nepalthok–Katunje Besi section of the BP Highway in Kavre, special traffic arrangements have been in place since Ashoj 16 in view of the risk of flooding.

Under the arrangement, the road remains closed from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. During the daytime, from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m., goods-carrying vehicles weighing up to 10 tonnes are allowed to operate depending on the road conditions.

In Rasuwa, the district’s major highways have been completely blocked by floods since around 10:30 a.m., according to police. In Nuwakot, vehicular movement along the Tokha–Chhahare road section has been restricted during nighttime since the night of Ashoj 1 due to the increased risk of floods and landslides at Ghatte Khola in Shivapuri Rural Municipality–8.

Similarly, the Pasang Lhamu Highway section at Simtar in Bidur Municipality–10 has been completely blocked after flooding occurred at around 10:30 a.m. on Ashoj 10.

Meanwhile, one-way traffic has resumed along the Prithvi Highway in Dhading after landslides were cleared. Landslides at Jawad Khola in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality–10 on Bhadra 16 and at Shitalbazar on Bhadra 26 were cleared, allowing vehicles to operate in one direction.

Road Department and Nepal Police teams are continuing efforts to fully reopen the blocked road sections.