Heavy rains cause widespread floods and landslides

Kathmandu, Oct. 5: Continuous heavy downpour across the country has severely disrupted transportation networks, with landslides affecting several major highways and vital routes connecting the Kathmandu Valley. 

In some areas, vehicle movement has been completely halted, while in others, traffic is restricted to a single lane, creating bottlenecks and delays for commuters and freight.

Police officials and the Department of Roads and Road Division Offices across the country mentioned that the landslides are not only localised incidents but part of a broader pattern exacerbated by prolonged monsoon downpours. 

Naresh Raj Subedi, Spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police, confirmed that a landslide near the Jhoulunge Pul in Sanga, Bhaktapur, has significantly hampered traffic flow, while another landslide along Kanti Lokpath in Takuche, Bagmati Rural Municipality-3, Lalitpur, has completely blocked the route. These incidents underscore the vulnerability of urban-rural connections in the face of intense rainfall.

Further west, the Pharping–Sisneri section of Makwanpur’s Indrasarowar Rural Municipality-4 experienced a landslide above the Mahalaxmi River, forcing authorities to close the road to all traffic.

On the BP Highway, similar disruptions were reported due to landslides in Mamtikhola, Roshi Rural Municipality-11, Kavrepalanchok, and in Buldhunga, highlighting the recurring risk along critical arterial routes.

The Arniko Highway in Sindhupalchok has also been affected. Substantial road subsidence at Char Kilo, along with landslides near Dhulikhel Khawa and the 54 Kilo, has brought vehicle movement to a complete standstill. In Chitwan, the Narayangadh–Mugling route was similarly shut when a landslide struck the Tuin Khola Bridge in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality-5.

The disruption not only affects daily commuters but also the transport of goods and emergency services, emphasizing the need for improved early warning systems, slope reinforcement, and alternative route planning.

Authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution, avoid travel in high-risk areas unless urgent, and adhere strictly to local administrative instructions. They also stress the importance of using safe and alternate routes to mitigate potential hazards during the ongoing monsoon season.

Further, the traffic through Nagdhunga and Chandragiri has been completely restricted, cutting off one of the busiest lifelines to the capital. 

The Nagdhunga–Mungling Highway and the Chandragiri–Makwanpur road were both placed under a ‘hold’ order, while vehicles have also been prohibited from plying the Nagdhunga–Godam–Taukhel route.

Movement between Dhulikhel, Dolalghat, and Sindhupalchok has been stopped in both directions. At Charkilo, a fresh landslide washed away nearly 15 metres of roadway, while additional landslides at Mamtikhola and Buldhunga further crippled sections of the BP Highway.

Rasuwa District has also reported widespread damage. A dry landslide at Ghattikhola in Gosainkunda Rural Municipality-2 has left roads blocked. 

The Pasang Lhamu Highway, the vital trade route to the Nepal–China border, remains closed since June when a bridge collapsed, and further blockages have been reported at Baluwakhani and Tatopani.

In Sankhuwasabha, flooding at Barunkhola in Bhotkhola-4 swept away a culvert, cutting off the Koshi Highway that links Khandbari to Thumsur. The Khandbari–Kimathanka road has also been rendered impassable.

Okhaldhunga district has faced similar setbacks, with the Siddhicharan Highway obstructed at Manebhanjyang following another landslide.

Police officials cautioned that ongoing rainfall could trigger further blockages in vulnerable areas, prolonging the nationwide transport crisis. Rescue and clearance operations are being mobilized, though authorities warned that full restoration of traffic along the damaged routes may take several days.

Three-day ban on entry and exit from Valley 

Meanwhile, the government has imposed a three-day travel ban on the entry into and exit from Kathmandu Valley by four-wheel vehicles.

Ram Bahadur KC, Head of Disaster Operations at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, said that the ban was enforced due to travel risks following heavy downpour across the country since Friday evening.

A statement issued by the Authority on Saturday also mentioned that, considering the continuous rainfall, all highways leading into and out of Kathmandu Valley have been completely closed.

Meanwhile, according to our Makwanpur correspondent Rammani Dahal, continuous rainfall has triggered landslides, blocking two major roads from Makwanpur to Kathmandu, including Kanti Lokpath and the Kulekhani–Sisneri–Dakshinkali route. Efforts are underway to clear the debris and restore traffic on these affected road sections.

In Makwanpur’s Indrasarowar and Bhimphedi rural municipalities, transport has been disrupted in Phakhel, Sisneri, and the Kanti Highway because of landslides and flooding from rivers. The Phakhel–Humane section, which had been operating despite risks, was reopened some time ago.

According to the Makwanpur District Police Office, the Phakhel–Humane section at Mahalaxmi Khola in Indrasarowar Rural Municipality–4 was completely blocked by a landslide at 1 p.m. After clearing the rocks, soil, and debris, traffic resumed at 4:00 pm.

Similarly, at Sisneri Bazaar in Indrasarowar Rural Municipality–3, water from Dodhare Khola flooded the road at 3:35 p.m., blocking the Kulekhani–Sisneri–Dakshinkali–Kathmandu section. Police reported that traffic has come to a halt and coordination efforts are underway to reopen the road.

Likewise, at Bagua Khola in Bhimphedi Rural Municipality–8, a landslide at 3:35 pm. completely closed the Kanti Highway. Rocks, soil, and debris fell onto the road due to the heavy rain. Coordination is ongoing with concerned authorities to resume traffic.

The Tribhuvan Highway remains operational, but police have restricted travel except for essential purposes. The Makwanpur District Administration Office has decided to suspend travel on all roads connecting Hetauda and Kathmandu until October 6.

No obstruction in Narayanghat–Butwal road

Likewise, the administration has informed that there has been no obstruction in the Narayanghat–Butwal road section as of Saturday 6:00 pm. The Daunne stretch of the road is also generally open at present.

However, for security reasons, vehicles heading towards Kathmandu have been stopped at the TCN Chowk in Bardaghat. The administration has also stated that, based on risk assessment, travel through the Daunne section may be restricted at night.

The District Administration Office, Nawalparasi, said that it is the duty of all citizens to cooperate with the government in dealing with possible disasters on the road.