Flood blocks Baglung section of Madhyapahadi Lokmarg

Continuous rainfall has swollen Thada Khola, and the resulting flood and debris have brought vehicle movement to a halt on the Madhyapahadi Lokmarg in Baglung district.

Traffic has been closed since Friday evening after the river, which flows through ward 4 of Nisikhola Rural Municipality, damaged the road.

Surya Gharti Magar, chairperson of Nisikhola Rural Municipality, said the highway was damaged by flooding from Sanokhola, halting movement. He said the Madhyapahadi Lokmarg Project Office and the Road Division Office, Baglung, are jointly preparing to clear the debris.

However, Chairperson Gharti Magar said it is not immediately possible to reopen the road as rain continues.

According to the forecast issued by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology on Friday evening, rain with thunder is likely at most places in the mountain and hill regions of Gandaki Province on Saturday as well. The department said heavy to very heavy rainfall is possible at a few places in Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces.

The same forecast puts the probability of rain in Pokhara at 90 percent. According to the department, the entire country remains under the influence of the monsoon and westerly winds, while a strong low-pressure system lies near Chhattisgarh and northern Maharashtra in India. The department expects this system to gradually weaken as it moves north-northwestward.