Nepal highway blocked after Trishuli River erosion triggers landslide

Traffic on Nepal’s Prithvi Highway was disrupted on Sunday after a landslide and road collapse in the Krishnabhir area of Dhading, triggered by erosion from the swollen Trishuli River.

The highway has been blocked on both sides, bringing vehicles travelling along the route to a halt. The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Office said the collapse occurred after the rising water level and strong currents in the Trishuli River eroded the road and its retaining wall.

ROAD COLLAPSES AS TRISHULI RIVER SWELLS

The road gave way after intense currents from the Trishuli River struck its retaining wall, causing progressive erosion. The heavy flooding weakened the road, eventually leading to its collapse.

According to Kathmandu Valley Traffic Office spokesperson Nareshraj Subedi, vehicles travelling along the route have been halted in Kathmandu because of the highway blockage.

The situation remains dangerous as the damaged section of the road continues to subside.

PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT ALSO BANNED

DSP Prakash Dahal of the District Police Office in Dhading said the road had caved in up to its middle and warned that the damaged stretch was unsafe even for pedestrians.

"The road has caved in up to the middle. We have prohibited pedestrian movement as well," he said.

The continuing subsidence has made movement through the affected section hazardous, with traffic unable to pass through the blocked stretch of the Prithvi Highway.

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