Heavy rainfall alert issued
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in various parts of the country from 8 pm Saturday to 8 am Sunday and has urged the public to remain cautious.
During a discussion on the monsoon situation and preparedness chaired by Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, the department’s Director General Kamal Ram Joshi said that special precautions are necessary as very heavy rainfall is likely.
Joshi stated that Bagmati, Madhes, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces are particularly at risk and urged residents living near rivers and streams in these regions to remain alert.
“There is a possibility of more than 200 millimeters of rainfall between 10 pm Saturday and 2 am Sunday in these provinces, so high caution is necessary,” Joshi said, advising the public to avoid unnecessary travel during this period.
According to the department, the monsoon is currently active across the country due to moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal.
Major highways blocked across Nepal (List)
Multiple highways across Nepal have been obstructed due to continuous rainfall, floods, and landslides, according to the Nepal Police. As of Friday 11:50 am, several key road sections remain fully or partially blocked, halting vehicular movement.
In Kathmandu Valley, continuous rainfall has caused flooding in Chandragiri Municipality, obstructing traffic heading from Kalanki toward Dharke and Makwanpur. Vehicles have been stopped in both directions.
In Koshi Province, the Koshi Highway has been completely blocked in two locations — at Bhotkhola Rural Municipality-4 in Sankhuwasabha and at Makalu Rural Municipality-3.
In Bagmati Province, several roads remain obstructed. In Rasuwa, flooding at Gosaikunda Rural Municipality-2 has completely blocked the road connecting Nepal to the Chinese border.
Landslides in Gosaikunda Rural Municipality (at three points) have obstructed the Pasang Lhamu Highway.
A landslide at Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality-4 (Chaku Bhir) in Sindhupalchok has fully blocked the Araniko Highway.
Another landslide at Khandichaur (Jugal Rural Municipality-8) has caused a partial obstruction on the Araniko Highway.
In Kavrepalanchok, a landslide at Roshi Rural Municipality-11 (Manebhanjyang) has completely blocked the BP Highway.
Additionally, flooding and waterlogging at several points between Dolalghat and Khadichaur in Sindhupalchok have caused traffic disruptions, with vehicles stopped in both directions.
Authorities have urged travelers to take precautions, avoid unnecessary travel in affected areas, and follow official updates on road conditions.
20 districts at high risk of floods
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has warned that 20 districts across the country face a very high risk of flooding due to continuous heavy rainfall.
Currently, rainfall is occurring in Bagmati, Madhes, Koshi, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, with Madhes experiencing particularly heavy downpours. Rainfall is also intensifying in the Kathmandu Valley, according to the department.
The Flood Forecasting Division said that on Saturday, districts including Sunsari, Udaypur, Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Sindhuli, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Sindhupalchok, Kavrepalanchok, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Makwanpur, and Chitwan are at very high risk of floods.
Similarly, Ilam, Jhapa, Morang, Dhankuta, Tehrathum, Panchthar, Bhojpur, Khotang, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, Sankhuwasabha, Taplejung, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Nawalparasi East, Nawalparasi West, Rupandehi, and Kapilvastu have been identified as high-risk districts.
In addition, smaller rivers in Kaski, Lamjung, Parbat, Syangja, Tanahun, Gulmi, Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, Dang, Banke, and Bardiya are expected to swell significantly, with a high possibility of flash floods. The authorities have urged residents of riverbank areas in these regions to remain on high alert and adopt safety measures.
Govt bans vehicle movement for three days
The government has suspended all vehicle movement in and out of the Kathmandu Valley for three days due to heavy rainfall forecasts.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the decision was taken after the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology predicted continued heavy rainfall across most parts of the country.
The ban will be in effect on Oct 4, 5, and 6 (Ashoj 18, 19, and 20) for long-distance vehicles operating from Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, as well as all vehicles entering or leaving the Kathmandu Valley.
