KATHMANDU: Heavy rainfall across Nepal has forced the closure of several major highways and prompted night-time travel restrictions in districts nationwide, leaving public buses and other vehicles stranded as authorities warn of increased risks of floods and landslides.

The Prithvi Highway, BP Highway and Narayangadh–Muglin road are among the key routes affected, while authorities in several districts have imposed night-time travel restrictions as the Meteorological Forecast Division has warned of heavy rainfall and increased risks of floods and landslides.

According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, public buses travelling to and from Kathmandu have been halted after multiple sections of the highways were blocked. Spokesperson Superintendent of Police Nareshraj Subedi said the Prithvi and BP highways were obstructed at several locations by landslides.

The route through Pharping towards Hetauda remains operational for smaller vehicles, he said.

Public vehicles have been stranded in Kathmandu after landslides, floods and precautionary closures disrupted several major highways connecting the federal capital with different parts of the country amid continuous heavy rainfall.

Major highways affected

The Prithvi Highway and Narayangadh–Muglin road have been closed until further notice due to landslides and the risk of further incidents. Chitwan Chief District Officer Ganesh Aryal said the routes had initially been closed from 8pm Thursday to 5am Friday, but the closure was extended as rainfall continued.

More than 10,000 vehicles use the Narayangadh–Muglin section and over 14,000 use the Prithvi Highway daily, according to the authorities.

The BP Highway has also been obstructed by landslides at Charseybesi and Gimdi in Roshi Rural Municipality, while authorities have already imposed night-time restrictions on the route from 5pm to 5am until September 28.

The Kali Gandaki Corridor has been blocked in Gulmi after a landslide at Rakse in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality–2. Rising water levels in the Pati Khola have also disrupted transport in the area, leaving vehicles travelling towards Baglung, Palpa, Butwal and Pokhara stranded.

The Kanti Lokpath has been obstructed at three locations on the Lalitpur side following landslides, affecting transport between Hetauda and Kathmandu.

Night travel restrictions across districts

Nepal Police said authorities have imposed various night-time travel restrictions in several districts because of the forecast of heavy rainfall through September 28.

In Solukhumbu, non-essential vehicles and pedestrians have been barred from travelling at night on the Siddhicharan Highway and other roads from 6pm to 6am.

In Khotang, vehicles other than those providing essential services have been barred from operating between 7pm and 5am on the Chakevabhanjyang–Jayaramghat section of the Mid-Hill Highway.

Similar restrictions are in place in parts of Makwanpur, Sindhuli, Dolakha, Sindhupalchok, Manang, Kaski, Mustang, Parbat, Myagdi, Nawalparasi East, Dang and Rolpa.

In Rolpa, all sections of the Madan Bhandari Highway are to remain closed around the clock, while other major and local roads have night-time restrictions.

Authorities in Rukum East have also prohibited all vehicles from operating at night on major highways and inner roads until further notice, with daytime travel subject to weather and road conditions.

Meanwhile, traffic police in Kathmandu have been conducting public announcements along river corridors, urging motorists not to stop or park near rivers as water levels in the Valley's rivers continue to rise.

The Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs' National Federation has also urged drivers and transport operators to coordinate with security agencies and check road conditions before travelling.

Authorities have urged the public to avoid unnecessary long-distance and night travel, particularly through areas vulnerable to floods, landslides and inundation, and to check the latest weather and road conditions before setting out.