Kathmandu. As many as 10 highways across the country have been completely blocked and 158 highways have come into one-way operation due to incessant rains and floods and landslides. According to the Department of Roads, the traffic movement has come to a standstill due to floods and landslides at various places.

Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh has directed to open the obstructed road immediately. He directed to make the movement easier by operating the roads blocked due to floods and landslides. In a meeting chaired by Singh on Sunday, he said that the people were facing problems due to the obstruction of the road and directed to proceed with the work so that the road could be operated immediately.

Spokesperson at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Bhimarjun Adhikari, said efforts were being made to operate the road as soon as possible. “Efforts are being made to open the blocked roads as soon as possible, improvement work is being carried out on some highways, rain is taking place in some places and the flow of the river has also increased,” he said.

Thori-Bhandara-Malekhu, Galchhi-Trishuli-Vetrawati-Mailung-Syafrubensi-Rasuwagadhi road sections have been completely blocked. The road has been obstructed due to the river cutting the road due to floods from China on July 15. At present, efforts are being made to open the blocked road using excavators and loaders.

Similarly, jamunaha-Nepalgunj-Kohalpur-Surkhet-Khulalu-Hilsa (Karnali highway) has also been obstructed. According to the Department of Roads, the highway will be cleaned once the water level in the river recedes due to the increase in the flow of paima rivulet.

Similarly, the Rani-Biratnagar-Itahari-Dharan-Dhankuta-Hile, Leghuwaghat-Tumlingtar Khandwari-Num-Kimathanka (Koshi Highway) has also been completely blocked. According to the Department, diversion in barun river has been washed away and slope work is pending in the construction of the bridge and diversion could not be restored due to the increase in water flow.

The Chatra-Mulghat-Majhitar-Amrapurdanda-Ganeshchowk (Tamor corridor) has also been completely blocked. Rani Bridge Bailey Bridge, constructed on tamor river from Remit Hydro about five years ago, has been obstructed due to floods triggered by incessant rains on July 15. At present, initiatives have been taken to construct bailey bridge again from Remit Hydro.

Similarly, the Thori-Bhandara-Malekhu, Galchhi-Trishuli-Vetrawati-Mailung-Syafrubensi-Rasuwagadhi road sections have also been completely blocked. The road section has been obstructed due to heavy flooding from The Chinese side on July 14. At present, river erosion work is being carried out by mobilizing equipment.

Chhinchu-Kudu-Jajarkot-Dunai-Dho-Tinje-Marim (Bheri corridor) has also been completely blocked. According to the Department, work is underway to remove the landslide as the road section has been obstructed due to floods and landslides.

The Koilabas-Lamhi, Arjunkhola-Ghorahi-Holeri-Ghartigaun-Thawang-Lukum (Sahid) road has also been completely blocked. According to the Department, the cleaning work will start once the landslide stops as it is raining continuously and landslides are also occurring.

Surkhet Lower Dungeshwor-Satkhamba-Dullu-Pipalkot-Khulalu-Manma-Nagma-Jumla road has also been obstructed. According to the Department, the road has been obstructed due to landslides from above the road. Efforts are being made to remove the stones, but the stone is falling. Due to continuous dry landslides, the road will be closed at night and work is going on to operate the road in the afternoon.

Chhinchu-Kudu-Jajarkot-Dunai-Dho-Tinje-Marim (Bheri Corridor) has also been completely blocked. According to the Department, the road repair work will be carried out again after the rain stops and the river recedes.