KATHMANDU, Nov 2: Continuous rainfall since Thursday has left nine highways across the country blocked as of Saturday evening, causing major disruption for travelers and daily life.
Officials from the Department of Roads said efforts are underway to reopen the blocked highways, and work to clear landslides will be more effective once the rain stops. According to a bulletin issued by Nepal Police on Saturday evening, rainfall and landslides have caused the closures.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that Cyclone Montha, developing over the Bay of Bengal, has brought heavy rainfall to many parts of Koshi Province. Considering the risk of disasters, local authorities have restricted vehicle movement on the Mechi Highway within Ilam district from midnight to 6 a.m. since Thursday until further notice.
Rainfall damage to highways estimated at Rs 12.38 Billion, all...
On Thursday evening, a landslide with mud and debris blocked the Baragung-Muktikshetra Jomsom-Corolla road section between Chhusang and Taine in Mustang, completely halting traffic.
On Friday evening, landslides of mud and rocks blocked multiple sections of the BP Highway, including Chaukidanda and Rosi in Kavre. The BP Highway, particularly near Pohar Sal, has frequently been blocked, and even light rain can now disrupt it. The Bhaktapur Road Division has started permanent reconstruction work on the damaged sections, but ongoing rain has slowed progress.
Floodwaters from Nalakhola blocked the Tamor–Corridor road section along the border of Tumbeva Rural Municipality–2 (Panchthar) and Chaubise Rural Municipality–4 (Dhankuta) since Friday evening.
Heavy rainfall on Friday also triggered landslides on the Rasuwa Gosainkunda–Tatopani–Bakhanimakhola and Pasang Lhamu–Myanglung road sections, according to road department officials.
In Ramechhap, a landslide above the road blocked the Madhyapahadi Lokmarg section at Khaireinighat–GaPa 1. Road department personnel confirmed that efforts are ongoing to reopen all blocked highways.
The Mechi Highway was closed due to landslide risks caused by soil erosion in various locations, including Rajduwali. Both directions of traffic remain suspended.
Since November 26, the Mid-Hill Highway sections of Ranitani–Kitani–Sankh required construction work to be completed, leading the Department of Roads to fully close vehicle movement until November 30. Authorities have asked large vehicles to use the alternative Kanchhimod–Dhaune–Pokhara–Nikhet route, and small vehicles to use the Kanchhimod–Nani-Gai–Dhape route.
On May 15, flooding in Urunkhola, Sankhuwasabha blocked the Koshi Highway from Khandbari to Thumsure, which has still not reopened, further affecting travelers.
