Monsoon Landslides Block Multiple Highways Across Nepal
Nepal's monsoon season has struck hard once again, this time cutting off road access in several parts of the country at once. On August 17, 2026, severe landslides, mudflows, and river erosion left multiple national highways completely impassable, forcing the Nepal Police Headquarters to issue an urgent traffic advisory to commuters and transport operators nationwide.
The scale of the disruption spans from the eastern hills to the central highway corridors, underscoring how widespread the monsoon's impact has been this year. With key routes severed in multiple directions, both local travel and cross-regional transport have been significantly affected.
Eastern Nepal: Mechi and Araniko Highways Cut Off
In the east, the Mechi Highway has been completely blocked at Rajduwali in Ilam district due to a severe accumulation of mud on the roadway, leaving vehicles unable to pass through the area.
The Araniko Highway has fared no better, shutting down entirely at Iku and Liping after devastating landslides caused structural failures along the road. Both closures point to how unstable the terrain has become following continuous monsoon rainfall.
Central Nepal: Dhading, Chitwan, and Rasuwa Hit Hard
Central Nepal has seen some of the most disruptive blockages. National Highway 17 was shut in both directions at Chalise in Dhading district starting early morning, while a separate closure struck Simaltar in Chitwan following a massive dry landslide.
Further north, the Pasang Lhamu Highway suffered a particularly severe blow when the Trishuli River swept away the roadbed at Khalte, entirely cutting off vehicular access toward Syabrubesi, a route commonly used by travelers heading toward the Langtang region.
Western Nepal: Bheri Corridor Blocked by Mudflows
In western Nepal, the Bheri Corridor has been blocked at Rijegard Khola along the Jajarkot–Dolpa stretch due to heavy mudflows, disrupting connectivity to one of the country's more remote mountainous regions.
Given the corridor's importance for linking isolated districts to the rest of the country, this closure is expected to weigh heavily on the movement of goods and people until clearing work can be completed.
Nighttime Travel Bans Add to the Disruption
On top of the highway blockages, authorities have also imposed nighttime travel restrictions in flood-prone stretches as a precaution. Along the BP Highway, night travel remains completely banned between Khurkot, Nepalthok, and Katunje Besi from 6:00 PM to 4:00 AM due to high flash flood risks in the area.
A separate nightly restriction is also in place on the Kanti Lokpath, where all movement has been suspended from 5:00 PM to 5:00 AM until further notice, reflecting ongoing concerns about road safety after dark during this stretch of heavy rainfall.
Police Urge Caution and Alternative Routes
With so many major routes affected simultaneously, the Nepal Police have urged all commuters and transport operators to verify live road conditions before setting out and to use alternative routes wherever they are available.
The advisory reflects a broader push by authorities to prevent accidents and stranded travel during a period when road conditions can change rapidly due to continued rainfall and unstable slopes.
The Takeaway
This latest wave of landslides highlights just how vulnerable Nepal's highway network remains during peak monsoon season, with blockages stretching from the eastern hills to the western mountains in a single day. Until clearing operations progress and weather conditions stabilize, travelers across the country are being urged to stay informed and plan routes carefully before heading out.
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