Around 800,000 people have left Kathmandu Valley for their home districts to celebrate Dashain, Nepal's biggest festival, according to the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE).

FNNTE estimates that about one million passengers will use road transport to exit the Valley for Dashain this year.

FNNTE President Bijaya Swar noted that although the initial estimate was that 1.5 to 1.8 million people would leave Kathmandu Valley for Dashain, fewer have done so due to road disruptions caused by flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rains on September 27 and 28.

"The roads are in poor condition, making travel difficult. Many people from outside the Valley are choosing to celebrate Dashain in Kathmandu due to these challenges, while others have opted to fly home," Swar added.

Swar mentioned that the final count of people leaving the Valley is still awaited, as travelers are expected to continue heading home until Friday.

Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office spokesman Bishwa Raj Khadka said traffic police have increased surveillance and inspections to minimize road accidents during the Dashain period, given the rise in road traffic. -- RSS