Efforts Underway to Reopen Major Highways as Weather Improves

Government authorities have said efforts are underway to clear landslide debris and reopen blocked highways on Sunday as weather conditions improved across much of the country following more than 24 hours of continuous rainfall. However, the government’s travel advisory remains in effect as risks of further landslides and road collapses persist.

Vehicular movement has been disrupted on major roads in six locations across the nation due to landslides triggered by the heavy rain since Friday night. Traffic on several highways has come to a halt, while one-way traffic has been allowed in some areas as authorities step up efforts to restore the blocked roads.

Routes in and out of the Kathmandu Valley have also been affected. According to Superintendent of Police Naresh Raj Subedi, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, traffic has been obstructed near the suspension bridge in Sanga, Bhaktapur, and on the Kanti Highway at Takuche in Bagmati Rural Municipality-3, Lalitpur.

Similarly, vehicular movement has been suspended at Mahalaxmi Khola in Indrasarovar Rural Municipality-4, Makawanpur, under the Pharping–Sisneri section, while landslides at Mamtikhola and Buldhunga in Roshi Rural Municipality-11, Kavrepalanchok, have blocked the BP Highway.

Traffic police have also reported that the road has collapsed at Charkilo in Bhote Koshi Rural Municipality-4, Sindhupalchok, and movement has been completely halted due to landslides at Dhulikhel Khawa and Chawannakilo along the Araniko Highway. Likewise, a landslide at Tuin Khola Bridge in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality-5, Chitwan, has blocked traffic along the Narayangadh–Muglin road section.

Authorities have kept dozers on standby and initiated debris clearance to restore traffic in the affected areas as soon as possible.

Earlier, government authorities had warned of extremely heavy rainfall from October 3 to 6, urging the public to exercise caution and avoid non-essential travel. While the weather has improved in central Nepal, with sunshine reported in Kaski and Kathmandu, clouds have shifted toward eastern Nepal, where rainfall is still likely.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority as well as the police have urged citizens to remain alert, avoid landslide-prone areas unless necessary, use alternative safe routes, and follow the instructions issued by the local administration. – With inputs from RSS