Several highways remain blocked

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct. 7: Continuous rainfall and subsequent landslides have brought traffic to a complete halt across several major highways in the country. 

According to a statement of the Nepal Police Headquarters as of 6:40 am, Monday, 18 sections of roads in Koshi and Bagmati Provinces remain fully obstructed.

In Koshi Province, vehicular movement along the Koshi Highway has been completely blocked at Bhotkhola Rural Municipality–4 (Barunkhola), Makalu Rural Municipality–3 (Ekuwa), and between Manebhanjyang Rural Municipality–6 and 7 in Sankhuwasabha district. 

Similarly, traffic has been suspended along the Siddhicharan Highway at Bhandare Khola in Okhaldhunga and Katari Municipality in Udayapur. Both the Mid-Hill Highway and the Koshi Highway have been disrupted at Pakhribas Dikure along Leguwaghat road section, Chanaute, and Sasimsuba in Dhankuta. 

In Ilam Municipality, the Mechi Highway has also been completely shut down due to landslides in several places following torrential rainfall.

Several road sections in Bagmati Province have been severely affected as well, according to the statistics of Nepal Police. Landslides have blocked multiple stretches of the Pasang Lhamu Highway between Gosaikunda Rural Municipality–2 and 5 up to Syabrubesi in Rasuwa. Road obstructions have also been reported in Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality–4 (Charkilo and surrounding areas) of Sindhupalchok, Dalabesi and Buldunga in Kavrepalanchok, Bhimphedi and Bakaya areas of Makwanpur, and at Sisneri Bazaar area (Indrasarowar Rural Municipality–3) along the Dakshinkali–Kathmandu section.

Meanwhile, the Madan Bhandari Highway at Sindure area of Marin Rural Municipality–2 in Sindhuli has been partially reopened, while the BP Highway in Phikkal Rural Municipality and Nepalthok area of the same district remains completely closed.

Nepal Police has warned that high risks of landslides persist across hilly road sections throughout the country and has urged both travellers and drivers to remain cautious. Efforts to clear debris and reopen the obstructed highways are currently underway, according to the statement.