KATHMANDU, July 15: Vehicular movement along the Karnali Highway has been disrupted by landslides caused by heavy rainfall. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Arjun KC, who heads the District Police Office in Kalikot, stated that landslides occurred at Takulla, Birtamod, Hulm, and Gagnekhola on Sunday night.
DSP KC mentioned that excavators have been deployed to clear the landslide debris. He added that the highway would reopen within two to four hours if there is no further rainfall. However, if additional landslides occur due to rain, the highway may remain closed.
The District Police Office of Kalikot has advised people to inquire about the road conditions before traveling, given the presence of landslides in various sections of the Karnali Highway.
Vehicles traveling from Surkhet, Banke to Kalikot, Jumla and Mugu, as well as those departing from Jumla, Kalikot, and Mugu have been stopped since Monday morning due to the difficulty in clearing the landslide debris.
The road division office in Jumla reported that the road blockage was caused by large boulders falling from the hills in Gagnekhola, Esmod, Birtamod, Jhamala Mod, and Molpha of the Kalikot section of the highway.
Efforts are underway, with equipment and personnel deployed from the Division Road Office, to restore movement on the highway. Previously, the road had been closed for four days due to continuous landslides. Passengers are demanding the immediate reopening of the highway and resumption of vehicle operations, citing the increased risk of landslides on the narrow roads.