KATHMANDU: At least 150 points on Nepal’s major highways are currently blocked due to floods and landslides, with traffic completely halted at nine locations.
According to the Department of Roads, since mid-April, 37 highways and roads have experienced disruptions. Currently, nine locations remain completely impassable. Meanwhile, traffic at 329 points has been affected by floods and landslides, of which 179 have been cleared and restored, while 141 points allow only one-way movement.
Several major highways are still closed at nine locations, with damage reported to at least three bridges.
The Galchi-Trishuli-Betrawati-Mailung-Syaphrubesi-Rasuwa Gadhi highway remains closed following the devastating flooding in China’s Lhende River on July 8.
The Department reported full closures on the Rasuwa Gadhi, Timure, Tatopani, and Kulung roads in Rasuwa. Roads in Rupse, Myagdi, including the Tansen-Ridi-Korala highway, are also blocked due to falling rocks and landslides.
Flooding of the Barun River has disrupted the Koshi Highway sections, including Rani-Biratanagar-Itahari-Dharan-Dhankuta-Hile and Leghuwaghat-Tumlingtar-Khandbari-Num-Kimathanka. In Taplejung, the Tamor Corridor is blocked after the Rani Pul Bailey Bridge was swept away by flooding on July 20.
In the Bheri Corridor, roads in Western Rukum, including Chaukha Khola, Richagad, Usum Khola, and Chhalagad, remain blocked due to debris-filled floods. Sindhupalchok’s Kodari section is also closed, though the cause has not been clarified.
In Rolpa, landslides have blocked the Shahid Marg in Putalachaur for ten days. In Baglung, landslides at Kalikhola have disrupted the Kaligandaki Corridor, and in Dailekh, landslides at Baghadula have blocked the Surkhet-Jumla road.
The Department of Roads said efforts are ongoing to clear blocked roads, with priority given to major highways. While some repair works have timelines, no schedule has been provided yet for roads severely damaged by the disasters.
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