ILAM: The Ilam-Rajduwali road, a crucial stretch of the Mechi highway, remains blocked for a month due to a landslide that struck the road on July 7.
Chief District Officer Lakshman Dhakal shared that efforts to reopen the road are in full swing, but the ongoing rainfall is making repairs quite challenging.
Currently, the plan is to clear the landslide debris and fill in the damaged area with gravel, but progress really depends on favourable weather.
Local residents are teaming up with the Road Division Office Ilam and security forces to get things back on track.
Pawan Bhattarai, Head of the Road Division Office, stressed how urgent the situation is, pointing out that even a little rain can undo their hard work.
The blockage has cut off road access to Panchthar and Jhapa, forcing vehicles to take a detour through Maikhola. Passengers now have to walk about one and a half kilometers to get around the affected areas, and security personnel are on hand to help those who need it, including the sick and elderly, often using stretchers.
Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Chand confirmed that a joint team from the Nepali Army, Armed Police, and Nepal Police is actively working to assist in these efforts.
