Last Updated on November 1, 2026 by alizni
Heavy, unseasonal torrential rainfall across Nepal has triggered devastating floods and landslides, crippling the nation’s key vehicular transit routes. Among the most severely impacted routes is the vital Prithvi Highway, which acts as the main economic lifeline connecting the capital city, Kathmandu, to the western regions and southern plains of the country. According to preliminary reports from traffic authorities and local administration, over a dozen major road stretches across Nepal have been rendered completely impassable, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and essential freight transport at a standstill.
Severe Landslide at Parewabhir Completely Halts Prithvi Highway
The situation along the Prithvi Highway reached a critical state following a massive landslide in Dhading district. Specifically, at Parewabhir in Gajuri Rural Municipality-2, continuous rainfall caused a severe slope failure, depositing huge volumes of mud, heavy boulders, and fallen trees directly onto the asphalt. As a result, vehicular movement along both directions of this arterial highway has been completely halted.
Local security forces, emergency response teams, and heavy equipment operators from the Department of Roads were immediately dispatched to the site to clear the debris. However, persistent rainfall and the risk of recurring rockfalls from the fragile hillside above have severely hampered clearance operations. Authorities caution that until the weather stabilizes and the slope is rendered safe, reopening two-way traffic remains a significant operational challenge.
More Than a Dozen Major Road Sections Affected Nationwide
The travel crisis is not limited to the Prithvi Highway alone. Incessant downpours have destabilized hillsides and raised river levels throughout Nepal’s hilly and mountainous topographies, affecting more than twelve crucial highway corridors and secondary feeder roads. Multiple sections of strategic arterial highways linking provincial capitals to regional trade hubs have reported partial or complete blockages.
Structural damage from torrential runoff, flash floods overflowing river bridges, and localized slope failures have disrupted public transit across several provinces. In many locations, heavy excavator machinery is working tirelessly to clear trackways, but continuous soil erosion and water logging continue to trigger fresh disruptions faster than crews can restore access.
Economic Impact and Commuter Disruptions
The widespread disruption of Nepal’s road infrastructure carries immediate socio-economic consequences. The Prithvi Highway and connecting feeder routes handle thousands of freight trucks daily, transporting essential goods such as fresh produce, food grains, petroleum products, medical supplies, and construction materials toward major urban centers.
With freight traffic stranded along key highway corridors, local markets risk experiencing temporary supply shortages and price spikes. Furthermore, long-distance passenger buses carrying commuters, students, and workers have been forced to wait for hours—and in some cases, overnight—in areas with limited access to food, clean water, and shelter. The delay also heavily impacts emergency medical transport, preventing ambulances from reaching specialized hospitals in time.
Safety Guidelines and Travel Advisory for Travelers
Given the unpredictable weather conditions and elevated risk of recurring landslides across Nepal’s hilly terrain, local traffic authorities and disaster management agencies urge travelers to exercise extreme caution. Vehicle operators and passengers are strongly advised to adhere to the following safety measures:
- Verify Road Status Before Traveling: Check official updates from the Nepal Traffic Police or local district administration offices prior to starting long-distance journeys.
- Avoid Night Travel in Landslide-Prone Zones: Traveling through hilly road stretches during night hours significantly increases vulnerability due to reduced visibility of falling rocks and debris.
- Carry Emergency Essentials: Keep adequate drinking water, non-perishable food items, emergency medicine, and fully charged mobile devices in your vehicle in case of unexpected delays.
- Maintain Safe Distance: Drivers stranded in traffic queues near unstable hillsides should remain inside their vehicles at a safe distance from steep, eroding slopes.
Conclusion and Outlook
As emergency response units work diligently to restore transit routes across Nepal, clearing the blockage on the Prithvi Highway at Gajuri remains a top priority. However, full recovery of the transportation network will heavily depend on favorable weather conditions in the coming days. Travelers are advised to defer non-essential highway travel until road clearance operations are completed and official safety clearances are issued by traffic authorities.