Landslides triggered by continuous rainfall have blocked key highways and local roads in Gulmi, Baitadi and Panchthar, disrupting travel and stranding vehicles.
In Gulmi, a landslide at Bakhre Bhir in ward 3 of Rurukshetra Rural Municipality blocked the Ridi–Tamghas section of the Madan Bhandari Highway on Thursday morning. District Police Office spokesperson Ganga Bahadur Saru said efforts to clear the debris are underway, but ongoing rainfall has hindered work. Authorities have urged drivers to use the Panityanki–Thorga–Salbisaun alternative route until the road reopens.
In Panchthar, floods and landslides since Tuesday evening have blocked eight roads, including three major routes. These include the Panchthar section of the Mechi Highway linking Taplejung and Panchthar to Jhapa via Ilam, and the Panchthar section of the Mid-Hill Highway at Rijal Bhir in ward 3 of Yangwarak Rural Municipality and Dobhan Khola. The Hewa river section of the Phidim–Yangnam–Phalaut road, the Hewa river-Ghumaunetar section of the Phidim–Thakepung road, the Muwa river section near ward 5 of Phalelung Rural Municipality, a road in ward 3 of Miklajung Rural Municipality at Thamthum, and the Tamake–Pauwa Bhanjyang–Ranitaar road are also blocked.
District Police Office Panchthar Chief Deputy Superintendent of Police Kaushal Kumar Budhathoki said the closures have left vehicles and goods stranded at multiple points, causing hardship for travellers. The eastern hill districts have seen continuous rainfall for the past 30 hours.
Meanwhile in Baitadi, the Jayaprithvi Highway, blocked near Bhanjyang in ward 7 of Surma Rural Municipality at around 2am on Wednesday, reopened at 9am Thursday after an excavator from the Road Division Office cleared the debris.
Police Inspector Balram Pandey said vehicles bound for and from Bajhang resumed travel after the clearance. However, the Dehimandau–Giregada section remains closed due to a landslide at Sundarkhali in ward 2 of Dasharathchand Municipality. Heavy rainfall has continued in the district since Wednesday evening.
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