Rupandehi. Long-distance transport services from Bhairahawa have been affected due to landslides on various highways and road sections triggered by incessant rains.

Dozens of buses heading to Kathmandu, Pokhara, Baglung, Beni and Janakpur have been halted at Siddhartha Bus Park after they could not operate. Normally buses to Kathmandu and Pokhara used to depart regularly, the services have been affected due to road disruption in recent days.

Sanjeev Rokka, chairman of Siddhartha Public Transport Pvt Ltd, said that the income of transport entrepreneurs has come to a standstill due to the road blockage due to rain. “The income has come to zero as we have not been able to operate vehicles. We have to pay the salaries of the employees, bank installments and other expenses on a regular basis,” he said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Krishna Kumar Chand of the District Police Office, Rupandehi, said that traffic has been affected on various roads due to the rain. According to him, the police are regularly monitoring the condition of the road and the operation of traffic.

Vehicular movement on long routes from Bhairahawa has been obstructed due to landslides and floods along the Prithvi Highway, Siddhartha Highway and BP Highway.

Both passengers and transport entrepreneurs have been affected due to the road blockade as the festival approaches. Indian goods vehicles entering Nepal via Sunaulina have also been stopped at various places due to the road blockade.