HUMLA: The Karnali Corridor has been blocked after a landslide occurred at Chharebhir near Rip in Sarkegad Rural Municipality-2 on Saturday.
The landslide brought down large rocks and debris, blocking around 100 meters of the road and halting vehicular movement along the Humla-Karnali Corridor. Passengers and vehicles traveling along the route have been stranded, while the size of the rocks has made it difficult to clear the road immediately.
Kamal Budha of Adanchuli Rural Municipality-2 said more than 27 people who had traveled toward Simkot to attend a health camp scheduled at the district headquarters were stranded along the road. Budha said he had left his village on Saturday morning with his wife, who was seeking treatment for an ear problem, but they were forced to stop after the landslide blocked the road.
“They are waiting at Khadikhet in Sarkegad, hoping the road will be reopened. People traveling to Simkot for treatment are worried that they may not reach the health camp on time because of the road blockage,” Budha said.
Chief District Officer Bholanath Guragain said preparations were underway to clear the road. He said ordinary equipment would not be sufficient to remove the large rocks blocking the route.
According to Guragain, discussions have been held with representatives of the Road Department, Adanchuli Rural Municipality Chairman Mohan Bikram Singh, available rural municipality chiefs and security agency officials to coordinate the clearance operation. Work is scheduled to begin on Sunday morning.
Around 100 meters of the road has been covered by large rocks that will need to be broken up before traffic can resume. Guragain said clearing the road could take some time because of the difficulty in mobilizing the necessary equipment and resources in the remote area. He said efforts would continue from Sunday morning, with the aim of restoring traffic along the Karnali Corridor by Monday afternoon.
The Karnali Corridor is frequently disrupted during the monsoon due to floods, landslides and rockfalls. Such blockages affect the movement of people in Humla as well as the transportation of medicines, food and other essential supplies.
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