Continuous Rainfall Damages Over Two Dozen Roads in Eastern Nepal, Some to Reopen Only After Three Days

KATHMANDU: Heavy and continuous rainfall over the past few days has caused severe damage to more than two dozen roads across eastern Nepal, with several key routes remaining blocked due to landslides and flooding. According to the Federal Road Supervision and Monitoring Office in Damak, multiple sections of highways and rural roads under different divisions have been affected, disrupting transportation and local mobility.

The office confirmed that while minor landslides have already been cleared and some roads reopened to one-way traffic, several major blockages will take up to three days to fully clear.

Major Affected Roads

Under the Harkapur Road Division, the Harkapur–Okhaldhunga–Solu and Halesi–Diktel–Chakewa road sections were hit by light landslides, but traffic has now resumed after clearance.

The Katari Project Office reported that the Mirchaiya–Katari–Ghurmi section at the 64-kilometer point remains blocked due to a major landslide. Officials estimate at least one more day is required to clear the debris.

Similarly, under the Gaighat Project Office, the Gaighat–Diktel road from kilometer 37 to 45 has been closed by a landslide, with clearance expected within a day.

In the Lahan Division, the Basaha–Chatara road has been submerged due to heavy rainfall. Drainage management is underway to restore vehicular movement.

Minor slides have also been reported along the Kadamaha–Gaighat section, which has since reopened after clearance.

Under the Biratnagar Road Division, fallen trees along the Kanchi Bazaar–Chatara route have been removed, and traffic has resumed. However, fresh landslides near Baraha along the Chatara–Baraha Area road and Nishane Khola along the Dharan–Bhedetar section have temporarily halted movement. The Baraha road is expected to reopen within three hours and the Dharan–Bhedetar section within two hours.

In the Dhankuta Division, four landslides occurred along the Bhedetar–Mulghat section but have already been cleared. The Pakhribas–Leguwa road suffered six landslides, and one-way traffic is currently being allowed.

The Tumlingtar Division reported slides along the Leguwa–Khandbari section at Khewa Khola and on the Leguwa–Bhojpur section near Chakewa Khola. Both roads have been reopened.

Under the Ilam Road Division, the Jor Kalash–Fikkal section saw a minor landslide and has resumed one-way traffic. However, a massive landslide along the Fikkal–Godak section has blocked movement entirely, with officials estimating at least one day to clear.

Similarly, the Maikhola Bridge and Maikhola–Rajdwali road segments are closed, with reopening expected in three days. The Ilam–Dhovidhara road has also sunk at several points and will take a day to repair. Meanwhile, the Dhovidhara–Nepaltar section near Puwa Khola has partially collapsed and is expected to take two days to reopen.

The Nepaltar–Rake and Rake–Phidim roads have also been hit by landslides, with authorities estimating a two-day restoration timeline.

The Mechi Corridor has suffered blockages at multiple points, though officials have yet to determine when the route will be fully operational. The Tamor Corridor near Mulghat–Subhang Khola is also closed due to flooding in the Mewa and Chorua rivers, expected to reopen in two days.

Officials have mobilized heavy machinery and personnel across all divisions to restore transportation, while travelers have been advised to avoid non-essential travel along affected routes.