RUKUM EAST, MARCH 2

The passengers stranded on the Mid Hill Highway have been rescued after snowfall disrupted transportation.

The passengers in three buses left from Rukumpaschim to Kathmandu and in other light vehicles were rescued from Lukum-Patihalna section of the highway due to disruption of roadway with the blizzard since Friday night.

The vehicles failed to cross the border of Rukumpurba and Baglung districts, forcing the passengers to spend over 24 hours in the vehicles.

Premika Malla from Rukumpaschim said they could not leave the bus because there was no hotel near the place they were stranded. They spent nearly 48 hours without food, she added.

Chief District Officer in Rukumpaschim, Rudra Prasad Neupane, informed that the passengers stranded on the Mid High Highway were rescued by removing the snow. The snow piled up on the road in 5-km stretch of Lukum-Patihalna and 2-km of Baglung was cleared by the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force.

Police Inspector Him Bahadur KC said the buses to and from Rukum left for their destinations after the removal of snow.

The local administration has urged the transport entrepreneurs not to operate buses during night.

Every year, the snowfall obstructs roadway in the border of Rukumpurba and Baglung districts.