In the past week, 1.3 million people have left the Kathmandu Valley to return to their home districts for Dashain, Nepal's largest festival.

This figure, reported by the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE), accounts for those who have departed up until today.

The FNNTE had initially estimated that approximately 1.8 million passengers would leave the Valley via road transport for the Dashain festival this year.

FNNTE President Bijaya Swar noted that while it was anticipated that between 1.5 million and 1.8 million people would exit the Valley for the holiday, only 1.3 million have done so. This lower figure is due to road disruptions caused by floods and landslides following heavy rains on 27 and 28 September.

"The roads are in poor condition, making travel difficult. Despite this, 1.3 million people have managed to leave the Valley to celebrate Dashain with their families," Swar stated.

The exact number of people leaving the Valley is still awaited, as many are expected to travel until Friday.

Last year, 1.8 million people departed Kathmandu Valley for their home districts during the Dashain festival.