KATHMANDU: Efforts are underway to clear landslides at several points along the Prithvi Highway after incessant rainfall blocked the road. Landslides and flooding at various locations have disrupted traffic movement.
According to Naresh Raj Subedi, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, clearance work is underway at Chalise in Gajuri Rural Municipality-2 and Bangemode in Gajuri Rural Municipality-5, Dhading. He said it would take some time to fully clear the road because of landslides involving large amounts of debris and sand.
Traffic has resumed in one direction after the landslide at Krishnabhir along the Prithvi Highway was cleared. However, vehicles cannot operate normally along the affected sections until the landslides at Chalise and Bangemod are completely removed.
“Although the Krishnabhir landslide has been cleared and one-way traffic is possible, vehicle movement remains difficult because landslide clearance work is still underway at places including Chalise and Bangemod,” Subedi said.
Traffic police have warned that vehicle movement could become more difficult if further rainfall triggers additional landslides from the slopes above while clearance work is underway.
Meanwhile, traffic has been completely disrupted on seven highways connecting the Kathmandu Valley, including the Prithvi, BP and Kanti highways. Police said efforts are being made to reopen the affected sections in coordination with the concerned agencies after landslides and floods blocked roads at various locations.
Landslide clearance work is also underway along the Thingan and Pharping-Phakhel sections of the Kanti Lokpath. Traffic movement along the BP Highway has also been affected by rainfall.
Transport services were disrupted after landslides and floods washed away temporary diversions at several locations on the BP Highway, including Mamti, Piple, Daunne-Kalopul, Charsayabesi, Katunje and Chowkidanda.
Traffic police have urged passengers and drivers to use alternative routes where possible and check road conditions before travelling. They have also advised people to avoid unnecessary travel during the rains, as landslides can occur at any time along hilly roads.
Meanwhile, small vehicles and Tata Sumo vehicles are operating along the Dakshinkali-Sisneri road section. According to Subedi, arrangements have been made for larger vehicles to use the Tribhuvan Highway.
Traffic police said vehicles are being operated on the Dakshinkali-Sisneri section and the Tribhuvan Highway according to fixed schedules, taking into account road conditions, traffic volume and weather.
Passengers have faced difficulties as continuous rainfall has disrupted traffic along major roads entering and leaving the Kathmandu Valley. Long-distance vehicles, particularly those travelling along the Prithvi and BP highways, have been stranded at several locations due to landslides and floods.
Police have urged drivers and passengers to remain patient, avoid attempting to cross blocked sections and follow information issued by traffic police and other concerned agencies until road conditions return to normal.
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