Landslides block major highways

By Our Correspondent,Sankhuwasabha, Aug. 24: A massive landslide at Hunggung in Bhotkhola Rural Municipality-5, Sankhuwasabha, has completely blocked the Koshi Highway for the past three days. The 115-kilometre road connecting Khandbari with the Kimathanka border has remained closed since Thursday.

According to Ram Bahadur Gurung, chief of the North–South Koshi Road Project, around 300 metres of road has been buried by rocks, soil and shrubs.

“Since the road is still under construction, it is not possible to use heavy machinery. The steep terrain and continuous rainfall have made the work even more difficult,” he said.

The road closure has disrupted the supply of daily essentials, fuel and construction materials, while many travellers remain stranded. Gurung added that although landslides occur in this area every year, the damage this time is unusually severe, making it unlikely that traffic will resume soon. Technical teams are working continuously, but it is still uncertain when the road will reopen.

Meanwhile, Tribhuvan Highway and Kanti Highway, both blocked by floods and landslides following heavy rainfall since Friday afternoon, have now reopened.

According to Makwanpur District Police Office, the Tribhuvan Highway was cleared around 12 noon on Saturday, while the Kanti Highway resumed from 11:15 in the morning.

A landslide near Baghjhoda in Bhimphedi Rural Municipality-1 had blocked the Hetauda-Bhainse section of the Tribhuvan Highway. 

Deputy Superintendent of Police Shyamu Aryal said vehicles are now moving in one direction at a time. The road had remained blocked since 10:10 pm Friday.

Earlier, around 3:10 pm on Friday, floods carrying sand and gravel had also obstructed the same stretch, but traffic resumed once the water flow reduced. The road was reopened in coordination with the Road Department.

Similarly, a landslide at Bhayangdanda in Bhimphedi Rural Municipality-8 had closed the Kanti Highway. Police said the road was reopened from 11:15 am on Saturday after clearing debris. Continuous rainfall had made it difficult to remove the debris.