KATHMANDU: Continuous rainfall, landslides and rising water levels in rivers have severely disrupted transportation across major highways and road sections throughout the country.
According to an update issued by the Department of Roads at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, traffic has been completely halted on over a dozen key routes.
The Prithvi Highway is blocked at several locations, including Krishnabhir, Chaukibhir, Jawang Khola and Fisling, due to landslides. The department has initiated debris clearance operations.
Similarly, the BP Highway is obstructed at Mamti, Piple, Daunne-Kalopul, Charsaybensi, Katunje and Chaukidanda after landslides and flooding washed away diversions. Efforts to restore traffic are ongoing.
The Karnali Highway remains fully closed due to landslides and falling rocks at Gagne Khola and the Ranka area between Nagma and Jumla. Teams equipped with loaders have been deployed to clear the road. On the Siddhicharan Highway, the Okhaldhunga-Salleri section is blocked after a portion of the road caved in near Solu Khola. Authorities are attempting to clear the route by this evening using heavy machinery, provided there is no further rainfall. The Kanti Highway has partially reopened; while the Makwanpur section is operational, work continues in the Chapali and Takurche areas of Lalitpur.
Other vital routes face similar risks. The Mid-Hill Highway is experiencing continuous mudslides in the Nisi Rural Municipality-Kanabagar section, while a major landslide has occurred at Belbagar in Jaimini Municipality-8 along the Kaligandaki Corridor. Machinery is on standby at both locations. In the Tamor Corridor, the road is blocked at Chharuwa Khola, Nawa Khola and Ranigaun due to rising water levels. Debris removal is underway on the Rapti Highway at Kapurkot and the Baglung-Beni road in the Hulake area. Small vehicles are currently operating with caution on the Bhaluwang-Chakchake-Liwang road as clearing work proceeds.
The Department of Roads has urged all passengers and drivers to verify road conditions before traveling. Updated information regarding road obstructions is available on the department’s official website.
