KATHMANDU: Major highways in Kathmandu Valley and Bagmati Province have been completely or partially blocked at several locations due to landslides and flooding caused by incessant rainfall.
According to the latest road condition update issued by Nepal Police, the Prithvi Highway has been completely blocked after a landslide occurred at Krishna Bhir in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality-7. At Parewa Bhir in Gajuri Rural Municipality-2, small vehicles are operating through a single lane. One-way traffic is also operating in the Jawangkhola and Kamerebhir sections, police said.
In view of the risk of flooding, vehicle operations have been restricted on the Kavre section of the BP Highway. Goods vehicles weighing up to 10 tonnes will be allowed to operate between 7 pm and 5 am. However, permission will be granted only after assessing road conditions during the day.
Traffic has been completely disrupted along the Trishuli-Mailung-Syafrubenshi road after flooding damaged the road at Khalte in Uttargaya Rural Municipality-5, Rasuwa. Other major roads in Rasuwa have also been closed until further notice.
Similarly, vehicle movement along the Tokha-Chhahare road in Nuwakot has been prohibited from 10 pm to 5 am due to the risk of landslides in the Ghattekhola section. The Pasang Lhamu road section at Simtar has also been completely closed, according to police.
Meanwhile, the Kathmandu-Dhading road section has reopened after a landslide at Chisapani in Chandragiri Municipality-2, the entry point to Kathmandu, was cleared.
Police have urged the public to avoid travel unless necessary and to check road conditions with the traffic police or the police control room in the concerned district before embarking on long-distance journeys.
Dozers and technical teams have been mobilized to clear roads blocked by landslides and other disasters, police said.
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