Karnali Highway Blocked by Landslides Amid Incessant Rainfall

The Karnali Highway has been obstructed due to continuous rainfall, causing significant disruptions in the region. According to Bir Bahadur JT, the Information Officer at the Road Division Office in Jumla, the highway has been completely blocked since Wednesday morning following landslides at Smode and Hulma in Kalikot district, triggered by heavy rainfall along the Jumla road section overnight.

Efforts are currently underway to clear the roads blocked by floods and landslides in the affected areas. The Road Division Office is working diligently to restore the highway to operational status as quickly as possible. Landslides have been particularly frequent in the Dahikhola, Gagnekhola, Esmod, and Hulm areas of the Kalikot section of the Karnali Highway, making the route highly vulnerable during the monsoon season.

The people of Karnali have endured years of hardship due to the lack of attention from authorities regarding the upgrading and maintenance of roads in these high-risk areas. The recurring landslides have not only posed a constant threat to safety but also severely disrupted daily life and travel in the region.

As a result of the road closure, hundreds of passengers have been stranded. Vehicles traveling from Jumla and Mugu to major destinations like Surkhet, Nepalgunj, and Kathmandu have come to a standstill, leaving many unable to continue their journeys.

Local residents and travelers are calling for immediate and sustained action to improve the infrastructure and ensure safer travel along the Karnali Highway, a critical lifeline for the region.