Kathmandu : The public transport services operating from the Kathmandu Valley have been adversely affected after the major highways across the country were disrupted by the rain-triggered landslides and floods. 

Floods and landslides have especially damaged the main highway connecting the capital with various districts. Hundreds of travelers have been stranded due to road closures and all the crossings connecting the valley with the outer districts have been blocked till Saturday evening.

According to the road department, Arani’s highway was also blocked. According to the department, roads were also blocked at various places on the Kathmandu-Dhulikhel-Dolalghat-Khadichour-Kodari road section.

All roads connecting Hetaunda-Kathmandu have been closed. Due to the landslide, all long and short distance roads connecting Hetaunda-Kathmandu have been closed.

The long and medium-haul vehicles that are operated from New Bus Park and other areas of the Kathmandu Valley were not able to run due to damages and obstructions on highways, said Saroj Sitaula, Vice-President of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs.   

Makwanpur section of Kanti highway, Dhading and Makwanpur section of Tribhuvan Rajpath, Sindhupalchok district of Arani highway are blocked. The road has been blocked in the districts including Okhaldhunga, Sindhuli and Khotang on Pushpalal Road. Landslides have blocked roads at Sallan on Rapti highway, Palpa on Siddharth Rajmarth, Mustang on Tansen-Ridi-Korla highway, Dhading on Prithvi highway and Tanahun.

The bridge over Sunkoshi river in Khurkot of Sindhuli has been damaged. Director General Pokharel said that the bridges of the Araniko highway connecting Nepal-China have also been damaged.

Even the vehicles operated along the highways have been swept away while some are buried by the landslide. He urged the transport entrepreneurs not to operate vehicles at night in light of the hazardous conditions emanating from persistent rainfall across the country. 

Emphasizing safety, he also requested the transport service entrepreneurs, drivers and their help to refrain from nighttime travel and the risky conditions as torrential rainfall across the country since last Thursday continues to wreak havoc.