Continuous downpour throughout the nation has affected millions of lives – several road networks in the hills have been blocked because of landslides and several river-side settlements are said to be in risk of floods. The government has requested all people to remain alert.
B.P Highway and Mid Hill Highway blocked:
The BP highway, a major connector to Kathmandu from Province 1 and 2 has been blocked due to deposition of landslide debris at Golanjor and Sunkoshi rural municipality, the District Police Office Sindhuli said. Similarly, the BP highway has been blocked due to a landslide at Kamare of Sunkoshi rural municipality-1. Police said works are ongoing to remove the landslide debris at both places.
The Mid-hills highway, another roadway, also remains obstructed due to landslide at Golanjor rural municipality. The District Traffic Police Office is coordinating with the chairman of the rural municipality regarding removing the landslide debris and bringing the road into operation.
Rautahat flooded, East-West highway traffic movement affected:
Several villages in Rautahat have been inundated as Bagmati and Lal Bakiya rivers continue to overflow towards nearby villages. Traffic movement is severely disrupted along the district.
One way traffic movement at Siddhartha Highway:
Only one-way traffic has been allowed on the Palpa-Butwal section of the Siddhartha highway after it was obstructed by a landslide triggered by incessant rain. Continuous rain for three days triggered landslide near Siddhababa on Thursday evening and at Kerabari area today morning. Part of the landslide debris has been removed with the help of a bulldozer this morning and the road is open for one-way traffic.
Traffic movement along Lamjung – Manang road and Bhojpur – Dharan road is also said to be obstructed – both due to landslides.
Riverside settlements urged to practice caution:
Several rivers are said to have swollen across the nation – the government has been asking residents living along river side settlements to practice a high degree of caution. The rivers which are most prone to flooding are Mechi, Ninda, Biring, Mawa, Ratuwa, Lohandra, Budi Khola, Sunsari in the east, all tributaries of the Koshi river have also swollen and settlements along Sun Koshi have been asked to be cautious of growing river levels.
Rivers in Kathmandu have also swollen, increasing the vulnerability of residents who live along the river banks.
Increased risk of flooding/inundation
Several settlements are also in risk of flooding/inundation – images of a flooded Biratnagar were making internet rounds yesterday, while several other cities in the plains are also at risk of flooding.
