Rain, Floods and Landslides Paralyze Highways Across Nepal

KATHMANDU, Sept 26 — Floods and landslides triggered by incessant rainfall in recent days have severely disrupted vehicular movement across Nepal, bringing traffic to a standstill on several major highways and road sections, according to the Department of Roads (DoR).

According to the latest update from the DoR, roads across the country have been blocked by landslides, road cave-ins, falling boulders and the washing away of temporary diversions. Heavy machinery and technical teams have been deployed to clear debris and restore transportation in coordination with local administrations.

The Prithvi Highway, a key road link connecting Kathmandu with major parts of the country, has been completely blocked by landslides at several locations, including Krishnabhir, Chaukibhir, Jawang Khola and Fisling.

Local authorities have prohibited vehicular movement in the affected areas until further notice due to continued rainfall. Authorities are preparing to clear the landslides and reopen the highway once weather conditions improve.

Traffic has also been completely halted along the BP Highway following major landslides and the washing away of road diversions at Mamti, Piple, Daunne-Kalopul, Charsayabesi, Katunje and Chaukidanda.

Officials estimate that it could take at least two days to repair the affected sections and resume traffic.

Other Affected Routes

• The Lalitpur District Administration Office suspended traffic along sections of the Kanti Highway following landslides at Chapali and Takurche. Traffic has resumed along the Makwanpur section after debris was cleared, while work continues on the Lalitpur side.
• Traffic along the Okhaldhunga-Salleri section of the Siddhicharan Highway has stopped after the road subsided near Solu Khola.
• The Mid-Hill Highway has been blocked at Kanabagar in Nisi Rural Municipality of Baglung due to continuous mud- and debris-filled landslides.
• A major landslide has blocked the Kaligandaki Corridor at Belbagar in Jaimini Municipality-8.
• Several sections of the Tamor Corridor (Mulghat-Phidim) are blocked at Chharuwa Khola, Nawa Khola and Ranigaun.
• The Karnali Highway has been completely blocked at multiple locations by landslides and falling boulders.

Excavators equipped with rock breakers and wheel loaders have been deployed, with authorities aiming to restore traffic by evening if rainfall does not intensify. Equipment has also been deployed to clear debris at Hulake in Myagdi along the Baglung-Beni road section.

Authorities said clearance work on the Tamor Corridor will begin once water levels in the streams subside. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to clear the Kapurkot-Kharkhola section of the Rapti Highway, which connects western Nepal with the Karnali region.

Technical teams and loaders have been deployed from both directions to clear debris at Gagne Khola, Ranka, Bangesimal-Dahikhola and near Hare on the Karnali Highway.

Partial obstructions have been reported along the Bhaluwang-Chakchake-Liwang road, where machinery is being used to remove landslides and boulders. Small vehicles are being allowed to pass cautiously where conditions permit.

Safety Advisory

With continued rainfall increasing the risk of landslides, mudslides and falling rocks, the DoR has urged travelers and drivers to check the latest road conditions before beginning their journeys.

The department has also asked motorists to strictly follow traffic management rules, particularly on sections where one-way traffic is being operated, and to exercise extreme caution in high-risk areas.

The DoR said it is working to restore transportation as quickly as possible by clearing landslides, removing road obstructions and implementing alternative measures whenever weather conditions allow. The department has urged the public to obtain the latest information on road blockages across the country before traveling.