Mahakali Highway obstructed by floods, landslides

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BAITHADI: Floods and landslides at various points of the Mahakali Highway in far-western Nepal have obstructed the vehicular movement since Thursday.

A section of the road from Gokuleshwor in Baitadi to Darchula district headquarters Khalanga has been obstructed by landslides and floods.

According to Darchula District Police Office, the road has been blocked at Panebaj of Malikaarjun, Terchhalek and Dhap of Api Municipality-17.

The flood had previously swept away a bridge in Dhap, Api municipality-17 and locals had constructed a diversion. This new route, however, has also been obstructed now affecting the vehicular movement and can possibly take few days to reopen.

The continuous rainfall has made it impossible to clear out the debris, according to police.

According to the DSP Sushil Singh Rathor, chief of the DPO, police are trying to normalise the situation by clearing the debris from early morning today.

Two excavators – one each from the Road Division Office, Baithadi and a private company - are helping to clear out the debris.

The two-way passage of vehicles from and to Kathmandu, Mahendranagar, Dhangadhi, Dhadeldhura, Darchula have all been stranded halfway due to the obstruction.