Kathmandu, Aug 10: Heavy and continuous rainfall has triggered landslides, mudslides and river erosion in several parts of the country, blocking major highways and disrupting traffic on Sunday.
According to Nepal Police, several key roads were either completely or partially obstructed as of 6 am, affecting travellers and the movement of goods in Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalchok, Ilam, Rasuwa, Rukum West and Lamjung.
The BP Highway, one of the main road links between Kathmandu and eastern Nepal, was completely blocked at a section in Kavrepalanchok after a landslide early Sunday. Authorities have also continued to impose time-based restrictions on the highway because of the growing risk of floods and landslides during the monsoon.
Vehicles are barred from travelling on the highway between 6 pm and 4 am. Traffic is allowed only during the daytime, depending on weather conditions and the safety of the road.
In Ilam, the Mechi Highway was completely blocked in Ilam Municipality after mudslides swept onto the road. Police have asked passengers and drivers to avoid the affected section and use alternative routes where possible.
The situation is also difficult along the Araniko Highway in Sindhupalchok, where landslides have blocked several sections of the road. The disruption has affected transport services and created problems for residents travelling between rural areas and major market centres.
In Rasuwa, river erosion has made a section of the Trishuli, Mailung, Syafrubesi road impassable, cutting off an important route in the district. Meanwhile, landslides have blocked the Jajarkot, Dolpa section of the Bheri Corridor in Rukum West.
The Mid Hill Highway in Lamjung has also been obstructed by landslides, adding to the growing list of roads affected by the monsoon.
Police and road maintenance teams have been deployed to clear debris and reopen traffic where conditions permit. But continued rainfall could trigger fresh landslides and further damage roads, especially in hilly and mountainous districts.
Authorities have urged travellers not to take unnecessary risks, particularly at night or during heavy rainfall. Drivers have also been asked to check the latest road conditions before starting long journeys, as roads that are open in the morning can become blocked within hours during the monsoon.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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