Kathmandu, Sep 25 Authorities in Nepal on Friday suspended public transport services to and from Kathmandu after landslides triggered by incessant rainfall blocked several highways connecting Nepal’s capital.
The disruption comes after heavy rainfall lashed Kathmandu Valley and several other parts of the Himalayan nation since Thursday.
Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office spokesperson Superintendent of Police Naresh Raj Subedi said public vehicles have been put on hold as landslides disrupted traffic along the Prithvi and BP highways.
The Prithvi Highway connects Kathmandu with Bagmati and Gandaki provinces, while the BP Highway links the capital to Madhesh province and eastern Nepal.
Authorities have also imposed overnight restrictions on the Kavrepalanchok section of the BP Highway in response to the weather forecast, The Kathmandu Post reported.
People have been advised to not use the roads between 5 pm and 5 am until Sunday morning.
Chief District Officer Gopal Kumar Adhikari said authorities would assess conditions before deciding whether to extend the closure to daytime hours, The Post reported.
In Chitwan, the Prithvi Highway and the Narayanghat-Muglin road have been closed until further notice because of landslides and the risk of further incidents following continuous rain.
Traffic was initially stopped overnight from 8 pm on Thursday to 5 am on Friday, but the closure was extended as the rain continued, Chief District Officer Ganesh Aryal was quoted as saying by The Kathmandu Post.
The Chitwan section of the Prithvi Highway has been affected by landslides at several locations, the report said, adding that in neighbouring Dhading, landslides have occurred at seven locations: Krishnabhir, Parewabhir, Jyamireghat, Jahare, Jabangkhola, Tigraang Khola, and Kamerebhir.
Long-distance public vehicles are being held back at the New Bus Park in Gongabu in Kathmandu to prevent further congestion and ensure passenger safety while clearing operations are underway, reported The Rising Nepal newspaper.
However, light vehicles were operating between Kathmandu and Hetauda in Bagmati province via the Pharping route.
Due to the increase in river water levels, traffic authorities have instructed motorists to avoid parking vehicles along river corridors.
The Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs also urged drivers and transport operators to exercise caution and coordinate with security agencies while operating services amid the risk of further landslides and heavy rainfall.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has urged people to remain alert and avoid unnecessary travel, particularly at night, warning of heavy rainfall in different parts of the country from September 24 to 28.
(PTI News)
