KATHMANDU, Aug 16: Heavy and persistent rainfall has disrupted road links across Nepal, with landslides, flooding and road damage forcing authorities to halt traffic on several major routes.
Nepal Police said roads have been affected in at least 10 districts, including Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalchok, Ilam, Rasuwa, Rukum West, Sankhuwasabha, Lamjung, Mustang, Rolpa and Chitwan. The latest situation report was issued at 5 am on Sunday.
Authorities have imposed overnight traffic restrictions on the BP Highway, which connects Kavrepalanchok with Sindhuli. Vehicles are barred from travelling between Khurkot, Nepal Thok and Katunje Besi from 6 pm to 4 am because of the risk of flooding. Traffic is permitted during the daytime, from 4 am to 6 pm.
The Kanti Lokpath in Makwanpur is also closed to all vehicles from 5 pm to 5 am because of the continuing rainfall.
Several highways have been completely blocked by landslides and road damage.
The Mechi Highway is impassable at Rajduwali in Ilam Municipality 9 after mud blocked the road. Police said motorists can use an alternative route.
On the Araniko Highway, a section at Char Kilo in Liping, Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality 4, Sindhupalchok, has been completely blocked after the road subsided following a landslide.
The Trishuli Mailung Syafrubesi road is also out of operation at Khalte in Uttargaya Rural Municipality 5, Rasuwa, where erosion has damaged the road.
In Rukum West, a landslide near Rijegard Khola in Aathbiskot Municipality 6 has completely blocked the Jajarkot Dolpa section of the Bheri Corridor.
The Koshi Highway has suffered a similar disruption in Sankhuwasabha. Road subsidence at Sirek Danda in Bhotkhola Rural Municipality 3 has brought traffic on the Khandbari Kimathanka section to a complete halt.
In Lamjung, a landslide at Rambazar in Marsyangdi Rural Municipality 4 has blocked the Besisahar Manang road. The Beni Jomsom road in Mustang has also been obstructed by a landslide at Kaikukhola in Thasang Rural Municipality 4.
Further west, a landslide at Kagadanda in Sunilsmriti Rural Municipality 4 has blocked the Bhalubang Liwang road in Rolpa. In Chitwan, the Prithvi Highway has been completely blocked at Simaltara in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality 5 after a dry landslide brought down trees onto the roadway.
Police have warned that the situation could worsen as rainfall continues, with fresh landslides, flooding and road erosion posing risks on several routes.
Authorities have urged the public to check the condition of their planned route before travelling and avoid unnecessary journeys through areas vulnerable to landslides and flooding.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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