Last Updated on September 26, 2026 by alizni
Continuous heavy rainfall across Nepal has triggered severe landslides and flash floods, resulting in the obstruction of at least 11 key national highways. The Department of Roads (DoR) issued an urgent travel update highlighting widespread disruptions along several critical transportation corridors, including the essential Prithvi Highway. With major road sections rendered impassable due to fallen debris and river overflow, travel between the capital city of Kathmandu and various districts across the country has come to a near standstill.
The sudden surge in precipitation, which intensified recently, has significantly increased the vulnerability of hilly terrains, causing landslips, boulder falls, and road subsidence. Consequently, thousands of commuters, cargo trucks, and public buses remain stranded along various points of the affected highways while clearance operations are underway.
Prithvi Highway Severely Affected at Multiple Chokepoints
Among the disrupted transport corridors, the Prithvi Highway—a crucial lifeline connecting Kathmandu to western and southern Nepal—has suffered extensive damage. Critical stretches including Krishnabhir, Chawkibhir, Jawang Khola, and Fisling have reported major landslide debris blocking both lanes of traffic.
Krishnabhir and Chawkibhir, historically known for rain-induced landslips, experienced fresh surges of mud and rocks falling from steep cliffs above. Similarly, swollen streams at Jawang Khola and Fisling washed down substantial debris onto the highway, preventing heavy vehicles and passenger carriers from moving forward. Highway authorities and security personnel are actively working with heavy equipment like excavators and loaders to clear the blocked sections, but ongoing rainfall and secondary landslips continue to hamper clearance efforts.
Department of Roads Issues Urgent Notice and Advisory
In response to the growing transit crisis, the Department of Roads published an official advisory warning travelers about the hazardous conditions across national transport networks. The notice emphasizes that 11 major highways, along with dozens of rural feeder roads, remain completely or partially blocked.
The Department of Roads has deployed quick-response maintenance teams to key bottleneck areas to clear debris as soon as weather conditions permit. Officials have urged the public to avoid non-essential travel along hilly and riverbank routes until the weather stabilizes and maintenance teams manage to open at least single-lane traffic on major stretches.
Impact on Logistics, Commuters, and Daily Supplies
The sudden closure of 11 major highways has created immediate cascading effects on transportation and supply chains throughout Nepal. Freight vehicles carrying essential goods, perishable agricultural produce, and petroleum products are currently stuck along major transit hubs and highway bends.
For long-distance passenger vehicles, the delay has forced travelers to endure prolonged waits without access to adequate amenities on high-altitude stretches. Local communities located near major blockage points are also facing restricted mobility, making access to emergency healthcare and essential markets difficult. Transport entrepreneurs express deep concern that extended blockages could disrupt regional supply chains, impacting market prices and daily commerce across major metropolitan areas including Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan.
Essential Travel Precautions During Highway Disruptions
For individuals who must travel during this period of weather volatility, adopting strong safety precautions is vital. Transportation experts and disaster management authorities recommend the following guidelines:
- Check Road Status Before Departure: Always consult real-time updates from the Department of Roads, local police authorities, or traffic control rooms before embarking on long journeys.
- Avoid Nighttime Travel: Visibility drops dramatically at night, and detecting active rockfalls or landslides becomes extremely difficult, raising the risk of severe accidents.
- Keep Emergency Contacts Ready: Store contact numbers for local security posts, traffic control, and emergency medical services on your mobile device.
- Carry Basic Emergency Supplies: Drivers and passengers should keep extra food, clean drinking water, necessary medications, and fully charged power banks in case of prolonged delays.
Conclusion
The blockage of 11 major highways across Nepal underscores the severe challenges posed by intense rainfall and landslide threats in mountainous terrain. As the Department of Roads and local security forces work around the clock to clear debris at critical spots like Krishnabhir and Fisling along the Prithvi Highway, public cooperation and cautious planning remain key. Travelers are strongly advised to defer unnecessary trips and closely monitor official traffic reports before setting out on the road.
