KAVREPALANCHOWK: Authorities have begun constructing a temporary diversion on the BP Highway after sections of the road were severely damaged by landslides and flooding triggered by the Roshi River during heavy rains on October 4 and 5.
The diversion work commenced on Sunday after the water level in the Roshi River receded, allowing for access and initial repairs. The Division Road Office in Bhaktapur, in coordination with Roshi Rural Municipality and Namobuddha Municipality, is overseeing the construction, which involves rerouting the river and building the road above the current water level.
Last year, a similar eight-kilometer diversion was built in the same area after landslides damaged the highway. However, the recent floods over the weekend again washed away key sections of the road.
Engineer Bindu Adhikari, the information officer at the Division Road Office, confirmed that construction of temporary roads has started at Chowkidanda in Kavrepalanchok and at multiple locations toward Sindhuli.
Since large parts of the road have been completely eroded, the new diversions must be constructed along the riverbank, raised to prevent future damage.
Meanwhile, from the Sindhuli side, a diversion is being built from Nepalthok, according to Chief Superintendent of Police Laldhwaj Subedi of the Sindhuli District Police Office. The Division Road Office in Khalte has deployed two excavators to assist in the reconstruction effort.
The BP Highway remains fully blocked, with large sections between Sindhuli and Namobuddha’s Chowkidanda completely washed away. Vehicles are now being diverted to Kathmandu via alternative routes, including Khurkot–Manthali, Araniko Highway, and Sindhuli–Hetauda.
According to Kavrepalanchowk District Police Chief Komal Shah, travel by foot is also impossible in several areas along the highway—such as Chowkidanda, Ghumaune, Mamati, Piple, and Boksekuna—due to flood debris, deep mud, and collapsed roadbeds.
Approximately three dozen stranded vehicles were moved to safety by police near the Area Police Office in Mangaltar.
The District Disaster Management Committee of Kavrepalanchowk had officially closed the BP Highway for three days starting Saturday due to safety concerns.
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