Key highways including Narayangadh–Muglin and Mechi corridors blocked; authorities caution travelers as weather expected to improve from Friday evening
KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 31
Continuous rainfall since Thursday, triggered by the influence of cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal and a prevailing low-pressure system, has caused multiple landslides across the country, disrupting major highways and stranding vehicles in several areas.
In Chitwan, the Narayangadh–Muglin road section was obstructed early Friday morning following a landslide near Tuin Khola in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality–5. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rabindra Khanal, the landslide occurred after continuous rain overnight. Traffic remained halted for several hours, though the road was reopened for two-way movement around 10:25 a.m. after road-clearing efforts by the Department of Roads. Police have urged motorists to travel cautiously due to the continued risk of further landslides along the route.
In eastern Nepal, heavy rain since Thursday has also led to the obstruction of the Ilam–Rajduwali section of the Mechi Highway. Chief District Officer Sunita Nepal said vehicular movement has been suspended as the road has broken down at several points. The alternative Tilkeni–Simalgola–Shilpur route has also been blocked by landslides, while the Mechi Corridor road linking Kechana to Kanchenjunga remains closed since October last year following the collapse of the Maikhola bridge in Belase. As a result, road connectivity between Ilam and Jhapa has been completely cut off.
The adverse weather has affected highways nationwide. The Police Headquarters reported obstructions on the Koshi Highway in Sankhuwasabha, Tamor Corridor in Panchthar, Siddhicharan Highway in Okhaldhunga, BP Highway in Namobuddha (Kavrepalanchok), Pasang Lhamu Highway in Rasuwa-including the Nepal-China border bridge-and sections of the Mid-Hill Highway in Sindhuli. Meanwhile, the Jomsom–Korala section, Beni–Darbang road in Myagdi, and the Sandhikharka–Gorusinghe road in Arghakhanchi have been partially opened for one-way traffic.
According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, most provinces including Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini have been experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall and snowfall in high hill areas. The Division forecast that weather conditions will gradually improve from Friday evening, though it advised the public, travelers, and farmers to remain cautious due to the possibility of continued rain and snowfall in some areas.
Authorities from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority have urged local administrations to stay on alert, noting that the cyclone's influence is likely to persist until November 1, particularly in eastern regions such as Ilam.
