KATHMANDU: Continuous rainfall has triggered floods and landslides across the country, forcing the closure of seven major highways and disrupting vehicular movement in several districts.
According to the latest road status update released by Nepal Police on Thursday evening, key road corridors, including the Prithvi Highway, Kanti Highway, BP Highway, Mechi Highway, Araniko Highway, Mid-Hill Highway and the Saljhandi–Dhorpatan road section, have been completely blocked due to landslides, road subsidence and flood damage.
The Prithvi Highway, one of Nepal’s busiest road networks, was blocked at Beni Ghat Rorang Rural Municipality-10, Wasing in Dhading, after a dry landslide fell onto the road at around 6:30 pm on Thursday. Police said traffic has been halted to ensure the safety of travelers before debris removal operations begin.
Similarly, the Kanti Highway has been completely obstructed after a landslide struck the Ghattepakha area of Bakaiya Rural Municipality-11 in Makwanpur at around 7:00 pm.
Police also said the night-time travel restriction along the BP Highway (Khurkot–Nepalthok–Katunjebesi section) remains in effect. Vehicular movement on the highway continues to be prohibited from 6:00 pm to 4:00 am due to the risk of flooding.
In Ilam, traffic along the Mechi Highway has come to a standstill after continuous rain turned the roadway at Rajduwali of Ilam Municipality-9 muddy and impassable. Authorities have advised motorists to use alternative routes.
The Saljhandi–Dhorpatan road in Panini Rural Municipality-2 of Arghakhanchi has also been blocked after rocks fell onto the roadway.
In Sindhupalchok, the Araniko Highway has suffered significant damage at two locations. At the Iku landslide area in Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality-2, Kodari, approximately 15 metres of roadway subsided by about five feet due to heavy rainfall, leading to a complete closure of the highway.
Another section of the Araniko Highway at Char Kilo in Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality-4 has also been blocked after around 10 metres of road sank by nearly five feet, police said.
Meanwhile, floodwaters have washed away approximately 10 metres of road along the Diktel–Bhojpur section of the Mid-Hill Highway at Pankhu Khola in Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality-8, Khotang, cutting off traffic on the route.
With rainfall continuing across many parts of the country, Nepal Police has warned that the risks of floods and landslides remain high. Authorities have urged the public to avoid non-essential travel and advised those who must travel to check the latest road conditions with the relevant authorities before setting out.
Police have also appealed to the public to follow instructions issued by local administrations and security agencies to ensure their safety during the ongoing monsoon season.
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