The plight of the BP Highway (Photos)

A winding, snake-like road flanked by picturesque hills on one side and the flowing Sunkoshi and Roshi rivers on the other—this is the BP Highway. Yet, its charm has been overshadowed by its current unbearable condition.

Traveling on the BP Highway has become a nerve-wracking experience. The hour-long traffic jams and relentless dust often make me want to abandon the journey halfway. Even after reaching my destination, the memory of the harrowing trip leaves me feeling feverish.

The severe floods of the Roshi River from Sept 26-28 wreaked havoc on the highway, washing away and damaging significant portions. Reports indicate that 12 kilometers of the road were destroyed, resulting in a loss of Rs 7bn. The destruction has made travel between Kathmandu and Bardibas exceedingly difficult.

Floods and landslides have claimed large sections of the highway, leaving some areas washed away by the Roshi River and others buried under debris. The dust clouds that now envelop the road add another layer of misery. Travelers are left uncertain, fearing landslides that could crush vehicles or slippery conditions that could send them plunging into the river below.

Drivers start their vehicles with prayers, while passengers brace themselves for the perilous journey ahead. Traveling on this highway feels like navigating an ambush, with every twist and turn posing a new danger.

These conditions have turned the once-iconic BP Highway into a treacherous and exhausting route, leaving travelers with tales of suffering and anxiety at every turn.