Key Takeaways:

• More than 348,000 people have left Kathmandu Valley for Dashain
• Up to 975,000 public transport passengers expected during festival period
• Damaged highways and bridges are disrupting travel nationwide
• Authorities deploy traffic personnel and emergency equipment for peak rush

KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 16 More than 348,000 people have already left the Kathmandu Valley for Dashain, with the biggest travel rush still ahead as damaged highways, landslides and bridge failures complicate journeys across the country. Traffic police recorded 348,314 departures by the morning of Asoj 30, as workers, students and families continued returning to their home districts for Nepal's largest festival. The number is expected to rise sharply over the next few days. A parliamentary study projects that between 650,000 and 975,000 passengers will travel out of the Valley by public transport during Dashain, requiring up to 65,000 vehicle trips. The heaviest demand is expected from Phulpati through Kartik 2, when hundreds of thousands are likely to be on the move. Passenger departures have risen steadily in recent days, climbing from 52,827 on Asoj 25 to 85,561 on Asoj 29. Advance ticket bookings had reached 153,732 by Asoj 29. The rush comes as key transport corridors remain under pressure. Sections of the Prithvi Highway have suffered subsidence and traffic disruptions, while landslides continue to affect the BP Highway. Flood damage to a bridge in Arughat, Gorkha, has added further challenges for travellers. Authorities say they are preparing for the surge by deploying more than 1,300 traffic personnel and positioning heavy equipment for emergency road clearance. Transport operators have urged passengers to book tickets in advance, pay only approved fares and check vehicle conditions before travelling.