More than half a million people have left the Kathmandu Valley since the start of Dashain, according to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office.

From Ghatasthapana until Tuesday morning, 553,261 people departed the federal Capital. With the growing pressure of travellers, additional traffic police have been mobilised at major exit points and parking areas, said Senior Superintendent of Police Nawaraj Adhikari, chief of the office.

Help desks, monitoring teams, and emergency rescue units have also been activated to ensure passenger convenience and safety, he said, adding that traffic police are on duty round the clock.

During the same period, 285,308 people entered the Valley on 72,041 vehicles.