KATHMANDU: Floods and landslides have completely blocked six national highways and partially disrupted traffic on 169 road sections across the country, according to the Department of Roads. The department attributed the disruptions to road erosion caused by floodingand landslides in several areas.
Prabhat Kumar Jha, spokesperson for the department, said repair work is underway on the Arniko Highway (Kathmandu–Dhulikhel–Dolalghat–Khadichaur–Kodari) to restore traffic by the evening.
“Efforts are ongoing to ensure safe and smooth travel for people leaving and entering the Kathmandu Valley during the Dashain festival,” Jha added.
Although the Prithvi Highway reopened on Sunday evening, a two-hour closure was required on Monday afternoon for cleaning and maintenance. Other fully blocked highways include Thori–Bhandara–Malekhu, Galchi–Trishuli–Betrawati–Mailung–Syafrubesi–Rasuwa Gadhi, Rani–Biratnagar–Itahari–Dharan–Dhankuta–Hile, Leghuwaghat–Tumlingtar–Khandbari–Num–Kimathanka (Koshi Highway), and Chatara–Mulghat–Majhitar–Amarapur Danda–Ganesh Chowk (Tamor Corridor).
The Koshi Highway remains impassable as the Varun River diversion cannot be restored due to high water levels, with concrete work still pending. Similarly, the Tamor River washed away the Rani Bridge after heavy rains on 6 Shrawan, prompting reconstruction efforts.
The Department of Roads has deployed excavators and loaders to clear the blocked sections. Officials said repair work is focused on roads with high traffic, including those leading out of the valley during the festive season.
Saroj Sitoul, senior vice president of the Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs Association, emphasized the importance of completing repairs quickly to ease travel for the surge of passengers leaving the valley for Dashain.
Amit Kumar Sharma, information officer at the Department of Roads, added that around 400,000 square meters of road damage are being repaired, with priority given to heavily trafficked highways.
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