Dry landslide hits Ghattekhola, Pokhara-Baglung road blocked then reopens

The Pokhara-Baglung road section, blocked after a dry landslide hit Ghattekhola in Annapurna Rural Municipality-1 of Kaski on Monday afternoon, came back into operation by evening.

Vehicle movement in both directions on the road, part of the Mid-Hill Highway, had come to a halt after the landslide struck around 3 pm. Traffic resumed after the debris was cleared, said Police Inspector Ram Prasad Sapkota of the Bagar Ward Police Office.

According to Deputy Information Officer, Police Inspector Deepak Rijal, of the Kaski District Police Office, a 20-member police team along with a dozer reached the site immediately after the landslide struck. Vehicles heading toward Pokhara and Baglung had been stuck on the road while it was closed.

Inspector Sapkota had earlier said one-way traffic could be resumed quickly, but reopening both lanes would take more time. A landslide at the same location on Sunday morning at 9:05 am had also completely closed the road.

With coordination among police, local residents and elected representatives, one-way traffic was reopened on Sunday at 10:55 am, and two-way traffic at 2:30 pm. Travelers and vehicles using this stretch have been affected after landslides struck twice in two days.

Since the risk of landslides remains, police have requested travelers and drivers to exercise special caution and travel only after taking precautions at night.