Rain-triggered landslides halt public transport to and from Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: Public transport to and from Kathmandu has been halted after incessant rainfall since Thursday caused obstructions on several connecting highways. The blockages have left many passengers stranded and disrupted travel across the region.

Naresh Raj Subedi, Superintendent of Police and spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, said public vehicles have been held in the capital following landslides at several locations along the Prithvi Highway and the BP Highway. He added that light vehicles have been travelling from Kathmandu via the Pharping route.

Pankaj Malla, General Manager of Lhotshe Multi-Purpose, said public vehicles have been grounded at the Gongabu-based New Bus Park since Thursday evening owing to highway blockages caused by landslides and flooding.

Incessant rainfall has continued in the Kathmandu Valley since Thursday morning, causing river levels to rise across the area. The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has urged the public not to park vehicles along river corridors.

Likewise, the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE) has warned that heavy rainfall and landslides could occur along the highways and has asked drivers to exercise caution. The federation also urged all transport entrepreneurs and drivers to coordinate with security agencies while operating their services.

Various authorities have appealed to the public to remain alert, cautioning that heavy downpours could continue across different regions of the country between September 24 and 28.