KATHMANDU, Sept 27: Floods and landslides have completely blocked seven national highways across Nepal, including the Prithvi, BP and Kanti highways that connect Kathmandu Valley with other parts of the country.
According to the Department of Roads, traffic has been partially or one-way on six other road sections, including the East-West Highway.
A landslide at Rajaiya in Makwanpur has restricted the East-West Highway to one-way traffic. The department has deployed heavy equipment to clear the debris and restore two-way traffic.
Several sections of the Prithvi Highway in Dhading, including Krishnabhir, Tingrangkhani, Bange and Chalise, have been blocked in both directions by landslides. Authorities are clearing the debris.
The Narayangadh-Muglin road has also been blocked after a landslide carrying mud and debris fell near the Namsi Khola bridge. Workers are clearing the landslide.
Highways linking Kathmandu Valley blocked
The BP Highway remains blocked at several locations, including Mamti, Piple, Daunne-Kalopul, Charsaybesi, Katunje and Chaukidanda, after landslides and floods washed away road diversions. The Department of Roads said the road is unlikely to reopen today as rainfall and landslides continue.
The Kanti Highway has been closed to traffic after landslides hit areas including Chapali and Takurchel.
On the Siddhicharan Highway, the Okhaldhunga-Salleri section near Solu Khola has subsided. Authorities have cut into the hillside and opened the road temporarily.
The Mid-Hill Highway is operating one-way in several sections of Baglung, including Ghodabande-Hatiya, Narethanti, Kafalthuta, Jhakristhan and Chauraha, after workers cleared landslides and fallen trees.
A landslide at Baiseri Siruwari in Raghuganga Rural Municipality-2 of Myagdi has made it difficult to clear the Kaligandaki Corridor due to continued rainfall. The road at Belbagar in Jaimini Municipality-8 has been opened one-way for local traffic, but long-distance vehicles remain restricted.
The Tamor Corridor has been partially obstructed at Chharuwa Khola, Nawa Khola and Ranigaun along the Mulghat-Phidim section. The department said traffic conditions change as river levels rise and recede.
The Rapti Highway has been completely blocked at the Kapurkot-Kharkhola-Tunikot section after a landslide.
Traffic on the Karnali Highway has also been affected by landslides at Gagane Khola, Ranka and the Bangessimal-Dahikhola section. Authorities are working to clear the debris.
The Bhalubang-Chakchake-Liwang road has been partially obstructed by landslides at several locations. Small vehicles are being allowed to pass cautiously while workers clear debris and fallen rocks.
The Besishahar-Chame road has been completely blocked at Khotro in Naso Rural Municipality of Manang after falling rocks and landslides made it difficult to clear the route.
Department of Roads spokesperson Shubharaj Neupane said equipment and technical teams have been deployed to affected areas to clear blockages and resume transportation as soon as possible.
