Landslides triggered by rain this monsoon have blocked various sections of the Dharan-Dhankuta road along the Koshi Highway. Authorities said that it will take at least three months to clear landslide debris from the road section.

According to the Division Road Office, more than a dozen culverts have been damaged by the landslides. Dan Kumar Shakya, chief at the division office, said the office could not immediately start work to clear debris from the road due to a lack of machines and human resources.

“Road infrastructure worth around Rs 10.5 million within 35 kilometres (Bhedetar-Dhankuta) were destroyed by landslides,” Shakya said.

Currently, the road is open for one-way traffic.

Mohan Pokharel, a driver, said a week after the landslides, the concerned authority has yet to clear mud from the road.

“It is very difficult to drive vehicles on this road,” said Pokharel.

Every day, hundreds of vehicles operate on the road section to reach Dhankuta, Tehrathum, Bhojpur and Sankhuwasabha, among other districts. Driver Yam Bahadur Rai said passengers are also worried about travelling on the risky road section.

“We don’t even know whether we can pass through the road section or not,” said Rai.

According to authorities, Mulghat-Tribeni road section, Tamor corridor and Sidhuwa-Leguwa road have also been obstructed by landslides. 

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