HETAUDA, Sept 23: The District Administration Office (DAO), Makwanpur, has banned vehicle movement at night along the Kanti Highway and the Bhainse-Bhimphedi-Deurali-Kulekhani road section amid growing risks of floods and landslides due to heavy rainfall.
Citing a special weather bulletin issued by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Administrative Officer at the DAO, Makwanpur, Santosh Subedi, said very heavy rainfall accompanied by storms is expected from September 25 to 27. Accordingly, travel timings along the two road sections have been restricted until further notice.
Under the new arrangement, vehicles will be allowed to depart from Chaughada toward Kathmandu along the Kanti Highway only between 5 am and 5 pm.
Similarly, along the Bhainse-Bhimphedi-Deurali-Kulekhani road section, vehicles will be allowed to depart from Chaukital in Hetauda toward Kathmandu, and from Humane in Phakhel and Ramchandra Bhanjyang in Sisneri toward Hetauda, between 5 am and 5 pm.
Kanti Highway reopens after Bailey bridge installation
Vehicle movement along both road sections will be completely prohibited after 7 pm.
The district administration has urged travelers to plan their journeys within the designated hours in view of the potential risks of floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall.
Tourism Department issues travel advisory amid weather risks
KATHMANDU, Sept 23: The Department of Tourism (DoT) has urged travelers to exercise caution in view of the risks posed by heavy rainfall forecast across Nepal over the next few days.
Issuing a travel advisory on Wednesday, the DoT cautioned domestic and foreign visitors at tourist destinations across the country, citing weather forecasts of heavy rainfall this week. The department also issued a public notice urging mountaineers, trekkers and support staff—both those already in the mountains and those traveling for the autumn season—to remain vigilant.
According to the weather bulletin, heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds is expected across the country from Friday, September 25, to Sunday, September 27. The adverse weather could increase the risk of soil erosion, floods and landslides, while snowfall is also forecast in mountainous areas.
The DoT issued the advisory in view of the potential impact of the weather on trekking and mountaineering activities. It has urged people to avoid travel during this period if possible. “If travel is unavoidable, it should be undertaken safely and with due caution,” the department said.
The DoT has also advised travelers to plan their future activities by taking weather forecasts into account.
It has further called on health facilities in areas where trekking and mountaineering permits have been issued, including Samagaun in Gorkha, the Khumbu region and Manang, as well as medical institutions in Kathmandu and Pokhara specializing in high-altitude health issues, to ensure the uninterrupted and smooth delivery of services.
