Tehrathum. The Phidim-Myanglung-Dhankuta-Dharan route has been used as an alternative route after the Mechi Highway and Tamor Corridor were obstructed due to floods and landslides triggered by incessant rains.

Commuters from Taplejung, Panchthar and Athrai areas of Tehrathum district have been compelled to use alternative routes paying high fares as floods and landslides have blocked the Mechi Highway and Tamor Corridor.

From Panchthar district headquarters Phidim, one can reach Birtamod of Jhapa via Mechi highway and Dharan via Tamor corridor. Alternate routes have been used after the road was disrupted at different places along these major roads.

Kamala Pathak of Kathmandu, who was found at Myanglung Bus Park in Tehrathum on Monday afternoon, said that she too had reached Myanglung using an alternative route. He said that he will return to Kathmandu from Myanglung via Basantapur-Hile-Dhankuta-Dharan.

Raj Kumar Seling of Yangbarak of Panchthar said that he has also taken the alternative route to Birtamod of Jhapa. The alternative route has made it easier for the pilgrims returning after visiting Pathibhara Devi, the service seekers coming to the Tarai in search of well-equipped hospitals for treatment and those returning to the eastern Terai and the capital Kathmandu due to special works.

According to Mangal Begha, in-charge of Tehrathum Yatayat Pvt Ltd, the vehicles heading to Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari from Taplejung and Phidimi are on their way to Myanglung. According to the District Police Office, Tehrathum, around 200 vehicles have been plying this route on Monday.

Of the 120 kilometers road from Majhitar of Aathrai rural municipality to Chitre of Laliguras municipality, all except 24 kilometers are paved. The 14-km road from Oyakjung to Isibu of ward no. 5 of Phedap rural municipality-2 is unpaved while the 10-km Khorangwa-Yawara section of Phedap-2 is unpaved.

Phedap rural municipality has also repaired a dirt road for the convenience of commuters in view of the increasing number of vehicles. Chief District Officer Prakash Chandra Adhikari said that the road in Tehrathum is safe at present and there is no problem in operating transportation from Dhankuta to Dharan.

The Tamor Corridor road linking the eastern hills with the state capital Biratnagar has been obstructed at several places. The Mechi highway that connects Jhapa via Taplejung and Panchthar has also been obstructed due to obstruction in Ilam and Maikhola, according to the chief of the Road Division Office, Ilam, Pawan Bhattarai.