Major Highways Obstructed by Snowfall Reopen in Mid-Hills and Far-West Nepal

Major highways in Nepal’s mid-hills and far-western regions have reopened after being blocked by heavy snowfall since Friday night, easing travel disruptions.

The Mid-Hill Highway, which had been obstructed by thick snow accumulation at Patihalne—the junction of Baglung, Rolpa and Rukum East—has resumed operation after snow was cleared using heavy equipment. Vehicles had come to a standstill after dense snow covered the road surface, leaving both small and large vehicles stranded midway, including those travelling from Kathmandu to Rukum East and West, Jajarkot and Dolpa.

Inspector Tilak Manandhar of the Burtibang Area Police Office said transport services resumed after a JCB bull dozer cleared the snow from the road section towards Rukum East. Passengers were left exposed to extreme cold while vehicles remained stuck on the highway, he added.

Snowfall was also reported in higher elevations of Baglung district, including Nisikhola and Dhorpatan, disrupting daily life in the area.

Similarly, the Dasharathchand and Jayaprithvi highways in the far-western hills, which had been blocked since Friday night due to snowfall, have also reopened. Snowfall in areas including Anarkholi, Khodpe, Shribhawar, Satbanjh and Dehimadau in Baitadi district had rendered the highways impassable.

According to Police Inspector Suraj Singh, spokesperson for the District Police Office, road sections were reopened after snow was cleared by JCBs deployed by the local Road Division Office. With traffic restored, stranded passengers and vehicles have continued towards their destinations. However, electricity services in the affected areas remain disrupted.

Intermittent rainfall and snowfall were recorded from Friday evening across high-altitude areas of Baitadi, Darchula, Bajhang, Doti and Dadeldhura. The season’s first winter precipitation has brought relief to local farmers, who had been grappling with prolonged dry conditions that threatened wheat and other winter crops.

Local resident Man Bahadur Ter said farmers were hopeful that the rain and snowfall would help revive their crops. Meanwhile, authorities said daily life has been affected by the sharp drop in temperatures, and health workers have advised residents to take precautions against cold-related illnesses. -- RSS