Floods and Landslides Disrupt Major Highways Across Nepal

Kathmandu. Major highways have been severely affected due to floods and landslides in various parts of the country.

According to official data as of 8 AM on Sunday, traffic has been obstructed on various road sections in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Karnali provinces. In some places, roads are completely closed, while in others, traffic has been stopped considering the risk.

Koshi Province has been the most affected by floods and landslides. Specifically, various sections of the Mid-Hills Highway in Panchthar district are completely closed. Due to the flood and landslide on Jestha 8, the road has been completely obstructed in Oyam Bazaar and Rijalbhir in Ward No. 3 and in Dobhan in Ward No. 2 of Yangwarak Rural Municipality.

The Mid-Hills Highway in Bhojpur Municipality-5 Bokhim of this province, which was damaged by floods, has now been made one-way, and an alternative route has also been arranged. Similarly, the Koshi Highway in Makalu Rural Municipality-3, Sankhuwasabha, blocked by a landslide, has also been brought into operation only one-way.

In Bagmati and Karnali provinces, precautionary measures have been taken on some highways considering potential risks. In Kavrepalanchok district within Bagmati Province, traffic on the BP Highway has been halted due to the risk of potential floods. Since Baishakh 22, all vehicles plying Khurkot-Nepalethok-Katuñjebensi have been prohibited from operating on that road section.

Similarly, in Humla district of Karnali Province, traffic has not been allowed on the Hilsa-Simkot road section in Ward No. 2 of Namkha Rural Municipality since Baishakh 29 due to the risk of potential landslides.

In Gandaki Province, the Beni-Jomsom road section in Myagdi district has been affected by landslides in two separate locations. The road section, blocked by landslides in Jalathale of Annapurna Rural Municipality-3 on Baishakh 16 and in Tallo Baisari of रघुगंगा Rural Municipality-3 on Jestha 7, has now been made one-way after clearing the debris. Passengers have been facing difficulties due to the road not being fully open.