The Road Division Office, Ilam, said it will take four to five days for the Mechi Highway to resume full operation. While the section from Taplejung to Phidim in Panchthar is clear, traffic from Phidim to Ranke is restricted to one way.

According to Pawan Bhattarai, chief of the Ilam Road Division, the most problematic stretches are between Ranke and Ilam Bazaar and around Maikhola.

“We have started clearing the road from today. We will try to reopen it as soon as possible, but looking at the current situation, it may take four to five days,” Bhattarai said.

Panchthar trader Dipak Nepal suggested that since both the Mechi Highway and the Tamor Corridor are blocked, travellers and transport operators should take the Jorsal–Sagranthibazaar–Myanglung–Dharan route instead.