CHITWAN: The removal of a landslide near the Tuin River along the Narayangadh–Muglin road section resumed this morning after efforts were halted overnight.
The landslide, which occurred on Friday evening in Ichchakamana Rural Municipality-6, has severely disrupted traffic on this key highway.
According to Narayan Lamichhane, Chief of the Division Road Office, the clearance operation is ongoing, with three machines deployed from the Muglin side and two from the Narayangadh side. He stated that efforts were delayed on Saturday due to additional debris falling from above while work was in progress.
The landslide originated from a height of approximately 70 meters and buried around 160 meters of the roadway, covering a width of 10 meters and a height of up to 16 meters. The work was paused overnight for safety reasons and resumed early this morning.
Lamichhane expressed optimism that the road could be reopened by this afternoon, provided no further landslides occur. Until then, the District Administration Office has advised travelers to use alternative routes. The landslide has left thousands of vehicles and passengers stranded, with over 10,000 vehicles estimated to use this road daily.
Meanwhile, local youths under the leadership of JCs Ichchakamana distributed free meals and snacks to stranded passengers on Saturday. According to JCs Vice President Prakash Shrestha, they also arranged shelter for passengers at the Magar Society building in Muglin. Throughout the day, volunteers provided noodles, biscuits, and drinking water.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Rabindra Khanal, Information Officer at the District Police Office, confirmed that landslide clearance operations are in full swing. He added that relief, including food and water, was also distributed on Saturday under the coordination of the district administration.
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