Sindhupalchowk. The Araniko Highway has been completely closed due to landslide at Kodari of Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality-2. The road connecting Tatopani border point has been completely closed due to landslides triggered by incessant rain since last night.

According to Area Police Office, Kodari Chief Police Inspector Jagat Bahadur Rai, the road has been completely closed due to a massive landslide from the Iku landslide area at Kodari of Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality-2 at around 5 am today. He said the movement and vehicular movement along the Tatopani border point has come to a complete halt due to the landslide.

Chairman of Bhotekoshi rural municipality, PasangNurpu Sherpa, said it was impossible to operate the road in the current situation as the landslide has not stopped yet. According to him, the Iku landslide area has been considered sensitive since the past.

Sherpa said that the area is at high risk of landslide after the 2072 earthquake washed away the Kodari settlement. Stating that the settlement has been completely displaced at present, he said discussions were underway between the Road Division Office, Charikot and the local government regarding the possibility of opening the road.