Landslides halt traffic on all major highways to Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: All major highways connecting Kathmandu with the rest of the country have been blocked by landslides following continuous rainfall.

Traffic has been halted along the Prithvi Highway, Kanti Lokpath and BP Highway since Thursday afternoon due to landslides triggered by the persistent rain.

According to police, landslides have occurred at more than half a dozen locations, including Krishna Bhir in Dhading.

The highway was completely blocked last night after landslides and falling rocks occurred at seven locations, including Krishna Bhir, said Superintendent of Police Sumit Khadka of the District Police Office, Dhading.

The local administration had been preparing to reopen the Prithvi Highway, which had been closed overnight since Thursday evening, at 5 am on Friday. However, SP Khadka said the highway has now been closed indefinitely.

“Despite efforts to clear the landslide debris, continuous rainfall has created further problems,” Khadka told Nepal Khabar.

Police said the Kanti Lokpath and BP Highway have also been closed due to landslides, bringing traffic along all three major routes connecting Kathmandu to a halt.