KATHMANDU: Landslides in various locations within Raghuganga and Annapurna Rural Municipalities of Myagdi have severely disrupted vehicular traffic on the Beni-Jomsom road, a vital connection between Mustang and the national highway. Residents, pilgrims, and tourists have faced prolonged traffic jams due to landslides in Baisari, Sirubari, and Guithevir, according to Bharatkumar Pun, Chairman of Annapurna Rural Municipality.

The landslide-prone area of Baisari, which has seen annual landslides since an initial event two years ago, remains hazardous. Last year, a landslide in Baisari claimed a driver's life. On Tuesday, a van traveling from Jomsom to Beni, bearing the registration number BA.026 Cha. 7053, was buried by a landslide.

The affected areas lack viable alternative routes, exacerbating the transportation issues on the seventy-six kilometer Beni-Jomsom road and hindering the export of agricultural products, such as potatoes. Dhruvakumar Jha, the project manager for the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road, noted that there are 14 landslide-prone spots along the route and a lack of budget for prevention efforts hampers their work.

Chief District Officer Laxman Dhakal inspected the Baisari landslide site on Wednesday. He reported that the Department of Road's equipment, technicians, workers, and security agencies have been deployed to implement short-term landslide control measures and restore traffic flow in the affected areas.