Long-route vehicles halted even by day in Karnali, Sudurpashchim and Lumbini

With heavy rain forecast, long-distance vehicle movement has been halted in Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces.

According to the Karnali Province Police Office, long-distance vehicles heading toward Surkhet, Nepalgunj, Jumla, Humla, Kalikot, Jajarkot, Dolpa, Salyan and Rukum have been completely suspended. Police spokesperson Santosh Singh Rathour said short-distance local vehicles are still running depending on road conditions.

Landslides, road subsidence and rising river flows have been reported at various points along the Bheri Corridor, Karnali Highway, Rapti Highway and Mid-Hill Highway. Chief Minister Mangal Bahadur Shahi said the provincial government has banned night-time vehicle movement across all 10 districts of the province from 6pm to 6am.

Kalikot Chief District Officer Jabilal Bhattarai said all vehicles except essential services have been suspended on the Karnali Corridor and the Kalikot-Jumla road section until further notice.

In Sudurpashchim, transport committees have decided not to run long-distance buses from Friday to Sunday. With a shortage of short-distance vehicles, passengers on some routes are facing difficulties.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has written to District Administration Offices in Palpa, Gulmi, Arghakhanchi and Nawalparasi in Lumbini Province to close roads even during the day depending on risk, with district administrations and local levels to decide when to close which road. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has forecast thunder with heavy rain in Nepalgunj.