KATHMANDU: The Kulekhani-Sisneri road connecting Hetauda and Kathmandu has been closed due to rising water levels in the Kulekhani hydropower project reservoir caused by continuous rainfall.
Authorities have halted all traffic on the route from 4 p.m. on Sept. 27 to 5 a.m. on Sept. 28, citing safety concerns as the dam gates may need to be opened at any time.
The District Administration Office, Makwanpur, stated that the closure affects the Bhaise-Deurali-Sisneri-Kathmandu and Palung-Sisneri-Deurali-Hetauda road sections. Travelers are advised to use the Tribhuvan Highway as an alternative route.
With the Prithvi Highway and Kanti Lokpath currently blocked, traffic pressure on the Tribhuvan Highway has increased. To manage this, the district administration has implemented a specific schedule for vehicles from Sept. 27 to Sept. 29. Vehicles traveling from Hetauda to Kathmandu are permitted between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sept. 27, 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Sept. 28, and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 29.
For vehicles traveling from Kathmandu to Hetauda, the permitted times are 10 p.m. on Sept. 27 to 1 a.m. on Sept. 28, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 28, and 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sept. 29.
Strict restrictions on vehicle size and weight have also been imposed on the Tribhuvan Highway. Aside from fuel and LPG carriers, cargo vehicles with more than 10 wheels or weighing over 15 tonnes are prohibited. Passenger vehicles are restricted to a maximum length of 11 meters.
