Continuous rainfall on Oct 4 and 5 inflicted widespread damage to major highways, bridges and culverts across eastern and central Nepal, severely disrupting transportation and connectivity.
According to the Department of Roads (DoR), the Mechi Highway of Koshi Province and BP Highway of Bagmati Province have suffered the most extensive damage due to floods and landslides. “Four bridges and dozens of culverts have been destroyed by floods and landslides triggered by heavy downpour,” said Engineer Prabhat Kumar Jha, spokesperson for the DoR.
He added that more than 250 landslides have been recorded along 80 major highways so far. “Even if funding is made available today, it will take at least two to three years to stabilize these slopes and rebuild the damaged infrastructure,” he said, estimating a cost of around Rs 20bn for the restoration work.
While a full assessment is still underway, preliminary reports show that a permanent bridge and two bailey bridges along the Mechi Corridor, an under-construction bridge over the Sanomai River on the Mechi Highway, and one bridge along the Hulaki Highway were either swept away or critically damaged.
Apart from Mechi and BP highways, several other major roads—including the Prithvi Highway, Hulaki Highway, Mid-Hills Highway, Kanti Highway and Araniko Highway in Koshi and Bagmati provinces, have sustained partial or complete damage. Some sections are operating one-way, while others remain completely blocked.
“The immediate focus is on reopening roads and ensuring movement of vehicles,” Jha said. “Reconstructing permanent bridges and restoring roads to their original condition will take time.”
The DoR has requested the Ministry of Finance for emergency funds to clear debris and start temporary restoration. It also plans to seek the release of money from the Road Board, where over Rs 100bn remains unspent. The department intends to use Rs 20 billion from that amount specifically for landslide prevention and highway stabilization projects. “We face the same problems every monsoon. Without proper preventive measures, the damage will only worsen in the coming years,” Jha said.
Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal said that the government would mobilize its own resources and, if necessary, seek international assistance for reconstruction and rehabilitation. The government is also preparing to install about 10 new bailey bridges in critical sections to restore connectivity in the short term.
