PANCHTHAR: Vehicular movement along Mechi Highway, the only highway to connect Taplejung and other districts, has been obstructed due to landslides at Pangrebhir in Falgunanda Rural Municipality-3 of Panchthar district for the past three days.

Following incessant rainfall, recurring landslides at Pangrebhir along the Phidim-Ilam road section of Mechi Highway has adversely affected the daily lives of people in the area.

Due to landslips, students from the adjoining districts, aspiring to attend Teacher Service Commission and Public Service Commission examinations were stranded along the highway.

A huge landslide is observed at Pangrebhir along the Phidim--Ilam road section of Mechi Highway, in Panchthar district, on Friday, July 19, 2019. Photo: Laxmi Gautam/THT

With this, vehicles laden with vegetables from Panchthar and Taplejung districts en route to India via Jhapa and vice-versa have also been stuck on the highway.

Panchthar Chief District Office (CDO) Murari Wasti said clearing of debris has been halted as landslide has continued to fall in the area.