Floods and landslides disrupt eight highways across Nepal

KATHMANDU, July 14: Eight highways across the country have been disrupted by floods and landslides triggered by continuous rainfall, although traffic has resumed on the Hulaki Highway after floodwaters receded.

According to Nepal Police Headquarters in Naxal, the Hulaki Highway section at Dhedhu Khola and other streams in Thori Rural Municipality-2, Parsa, which had been blocked by flooding caused by incessant rain, reopened to traffic from Tuesday afternoon.

A statement issued by Police Headquarters said all vehicles have been barred from operating along the Khurkot–Nepalthok–Katunjebesi section of the BP Highway connecting Kavrepalanchok and Sindhuli. The statement added that the Kanti Lokpath has remained completely blocked since Monday morning after landslides struck three locations—Pangdur, Takurche and Bhalu Khola—in Baghmati Rural Municipality-3, Bhattedanda, Lalitpur, following heavy rainfall.

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The Mechi Highway has also been completely obstructed. Since July 7, the road at Rajduwali in Ilam Municipality-9, Ilam, has remained impassable after rainfall turned the highway muddy, preventing vehicle movement. Police said an alternative route is available.

"The Pokhara–Tangting inner road section has also been completely blocked. On July 11, the gabion retaining wall beneath the road at Jyamdo in Madi Rural Municipality-2, Kaski, collapsed, cutting off the road," the statement said. "Similarly, the Saljhandi–Dhorpatan road has been completely blocked after rocks fell onto the roadway from above at Dhungekhola in Panini Rural Municipality-2, Arghakhanchi, on Sunday."

The Kaligandaki Corridor has also been obstructed. According to the statement, traffic was halted on Monday after water levels in Patu Khola rose and inundated the road at Purtighat in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-4, Gulmi. The Mid-Hill Highway has also been completely blocked after mud, landslide debris and water from the Madi River swept onto the Bhainse–Idi inner road section at Bhainse in Madi Rural Municipality-4, Kaski.

Police further said the Ridi–Wami road has been completely blocked. The road was washed away on Tuesday morning after the water level in the Thado Giru Khola rose sharply at Tallo Phant in Musikot Municipality-5, Gulmi.