KATHMANDU: Heavy rainfall has triggered landslides along the Karnali Highway, disrupting vehicular movement in several sections. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Arjun KC, head of the District Police Office in Kalikot, reported landslides at multiple locations including Takulla, Birtamod, Hulm, and Gagnekhola on Sunday night. Excavators have been deployed to clear the debris, with estimates suggesting the highway could reopen within two to four hours if there's no further rainfall. However, the possibility of additional landslides due to ongoing rain could extend the closure.

Travelers have been advised by the District Police Office of Kalikot to check road conditions before embarking on journeys due to the unpredictable nature of landslides along the Karnali Highway. Vehicles traveling from Surkhet and Banke towards Kalikot, Jumla, and Mugu, as well as those departing from Jumla, Kalikot, and Mugu, have been halted since Monday morning due to the difficulty in clearing debris caused by boulders falling from hillsides in areas like Gagnekhola, Esmod, Birtamod, Jhamala Mod, and Molpha.

Efforts are currently underway by the Division Road Office, mobilizing equipment and personnel, to expedite the restoration of highway operations. Previous closures due to continuous landslides have heightened concerns among passengers, urging authorities to swiftly reopen the highway to mitigate risks associated with travel on narrow, landslide-prone roads.