Kathmandu — Continuous downpours, landslides, and flash floods have disrupted traffic on several key highways and road corridors across Nepal, Nepal Police confirmed in an official update released early Sunday morning. Some stretches are completely sealed off, while others remain open only under strict nighttime driving bans due to the rising danger of flash floods and slope failures.

With the monsoon season at its peak, authorities are urging travelers to check road conditions before setting out, as landslide-prone corridors in the hills and flood-swollen rivers in the lowlands continue to threaten Nepal’s fragile highway network.

Nepal Landslides: Which Highways Are Blocked in Nepal Right Now?

BP Highway: Nighttime Vehicle Ban in Kavre-Sindhuli Section

On the BP Highway linking Kavrepalanchok and Sindhuli, all vehicles have been barred from traveling the Khurkot–Nepalthok–Katunjebesi stretch between 6 pm and 4 am because of a high flood risk in the area.

Kanti Highway (Kantilokpath): Overnight Closure

The Kantilokpath has also been closed to all vehicle types from 5 pm to 5 am as authorities work to prevent accidents on the flood-vulnerable route.

Mechi Highway: Fully Blocked by Mud in Ilam

In Ilam Municipality-9, relentless rainfall has turned the Mechi Highway into an impassable stretch of mud, halting all vehicular movement completely.

Araniko Highway: Landslides Bury the Road in Sindhupalchok

Landslides at Zero Kilo and Kodari in Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchok, have completely buried sections of the Araniko Highway — a critical route connecting Nepal to the Nepal-China border trade point at Tatopani.

Lamosanghu–Ramechhap Road: Washed Away by the Sunkoshi River

In Dolakha, the Tamakoshi Gaunpalika-5 Kirnetar section of the Lamosanghu–Ramechhap road has been washed out after the Sunkoshi River eroded the roadbed.

Pasang Lhamu Highway: Trishuli River Floods Rasuwa Route

The Trishuli River has overflowed its banks near Khalte in Uttargaya Rural Municipality-5, Rasuwa, completely blocking the Pasang Lhamu Highway.

Larkey–Benighat Road: Landslide Shuts Gorkha Link Road

A landslide at Underdanda in Dharche Rural Municipality-3, Gorkha, has fully obstructed the unpaved Larkey–Benighat road.

Why Are So Many Nepal Highways Blocked This Monsoon?

Nepal’s steep, geologically young terrain makes it especially prone to landslides during the monsoon (June–September), when intense rainfall saturates hillsides and swells rivers rapidly. According to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Hindu Kush Himalaya region — including Nepal — faces a growing frequency of extreme rainfall events linked to climate change, which is intensifying landslide and flash-flood risks along mountain highways every year.

The Nepal government’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology regularly issues monsoon flood forecasts and warnings, which travelers and transport operators are encouraged to monitor before undertaking long-distance journeys during the rainy season.

Nepal Police Safety Advisory for Travelers

Nepal Police has appealed to the public to gather updated road information from relevant authorities before starting any journey and to exercise caution while traveling through hilly and flood-prone areas. Officials say the risk of further landslides, flash floods, and road erosion will remain elevated as long as heavy rainfall continues across the country.

Travelers are advised to:

• Avoid nighttime travel on restricted highway sections
• Check real-time road status with Nepal Police or the Department of Roads before departure
• Carry extra supplies and fuel in case of long delays
• Avoid river-adjacent roads during and after heavy rainfall
• Follow local authority instructions regarding detours and alternative routes

The Bigger Picture: Monsoon Disruption Across Nepal

This is not an isolated event. Similar highway closures have been reported repeatedly through the current monsoon season, affecting routes such as the Prithvi Highway, Mid-Hill Highway, Mahakali Highway, and the Kaligandaki Corridor, according to ongoing updates from Nepal Police and the Department of Roads. The recurring disruptions highlight the urgent need for stronger slope-stabilization infrastructure and early-warning systems along Nepal’s highway network.

For now, commuters, transport operators, and tourists planning travel through affected districts — including Kavrepalanchok, Sindhuli, Sindhupalchok, Ilam, Dolakha, Rasuwa, and Gorkha — should factor in significant delays and consider alternative routes wherever possible.