KATHMANDU, July 6-- In recent days, the active monsoon across the country has severely disrupted road transport, with some areas witnessing the complete closure of roads, including major national highways.
According to a report released by Nepal Police at 6 PM on Saturday, ten national highways have been affected across the country, and seven of them are completely blocked.
As per the report, on May 19 (Jestha 6), floods in Barun Khola of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality-4 in Sankhuwasabha swept away a hum pipe, causing a complete closure of the Koshi Highway from Khandbari to Thumsur. Authorities have indicated that the highway may remain non-operational throughout the monsoon season.
Similarly, the Jajarkot-Dolpa-Bheri Corridor road section has been blocked at Rijigar Khola in Aathbiskot Municipality-6, Rukum West. On June 23 (Asar 9), increased water flow in Rijigar Khola completely obstructed the corridor. It will only resume once the water level recedes.
The Kanti Lokpath connecting Lalitpur and Makwanpur has also been affected. Since June 24 (Asar 10), vehicle movement on this route has been restricted from 7 PM to 6 AM until further notice.
The Kathmandu-Farping-Kulekhani road section is also under construction and therefore closed. From June 26 (Asar 12) to July 9 (Asar 25), the section from Farping to Hattigauda will remain closed, and travelers are advised to use alternative routes.
In Humla, the Karnali Corridor near Bakhe of Sarkegad Rural Municipality-1 has been obstructed due to a dry landslide that occurred on Friday.
In Rolpa, the Ghorahi-Rukum Martyrs' Highway near Gramjim in Parivartan Rural Municipality-5 was also fully blocked by a landslide on Friday.
The East-West Highway near the Bishwakarma Temple in Binayi Tribeni Rural Municipality-2, Nawalparasi East, has been impacted by continuous rain.
Another disruption occurred on the Banepa–Nala–Bhaktapur road section in Kavre. Around 5 AM on Saturday, a permanent bridge over the Punhyamata Khola in Banepa Municipality-4 collapsed, completely obstructing the road in front of Ugrachandi Gas Pvt. Ltd.
Additionally, the Mid-Hill Highway at Gittikhola in Dakeri Cliff, Chedagad-3 of Jajarkot, was fully blocked around 8:15 AM on Saturday due to a landslide.
Department of Roads spokesperson Prabhat Jha stated that efforts are underway to reopen all blocked highways as soon as possible. "On average, we aim to reopen blocked roads within four hours," he said. "However, in places with major landslides, it can take longer than that." He added that necessary personnel, bulldozers, and other machinery are on standby to expedite the process.
Night travel prohibited on BP Highway
The BP Highway, which connects Kathmandu to the eastern region, will remain closed to vehicles during nighttime hours for another month. Due to active monsoon conditions and the risk of disasters, authorities have banned vehicle movement in both directions from Khurkot in Sindhuli to Kathmandu between 6:30 PM and 5:00 AM, effective from Saturday until August 2 (Shrawan 18).
Previously, a 15-day night travel restriction had been imposed on the BP Highway. This has now been extended for an additional month. Suman Yogesh, chief of the Bhaktapur Road Division, said they are working tirelessly to ensure safe travel along the highway during the monsoon. "We are on duty day and night. Our main concern is that the Rosi Khola doesn't block the road again this season. We are doing our best to prevent that," he said. "However, if we get rainfall like on October 28–29 last year, it could be beyond our control."
The Bhaktapur Road Division has initiated the process to permanently reconstruct the BP Highway.
Three highways blocked due to incessant rain
