Landslide cleared at Ghoptebhir, Prithvi Highway reopens to two-way traffic

The Prithvi Highway at Ghoptebhir has been open to two-way traffic since 2:15 pm on Sunday, after a dry landslide that fell there was cleared.

Nepal Police Headquarters had said traffic in both directions was halted after the landslide fell at Ghoptebhir, in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality-4 of Chitwan, on Sunday morning. The road had been reopened one-way from noon, with vehicles sent through in turns in a queue.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police Rameshwar Paudel, chief of the District Police Office, Chitwan, vehicles that had been stopped headed to their destinations once two-way movement resumed. Passengers returning home to celebrate Tihar had faced difficulties while the road was blocked.

According to engineer Sachindra Mishra, information officer of the Naubise-Muglin Road Project's western section, clearing the road was difficult because rocks and debris kept falling from about 35 metres above. He said the landslide fell on its own from above even though the slope had not been cut there.

Mishra said the risk of another landslide at any time remains, as the ground there is weak, and travelers are advised to exercise caution on that stretch.