Flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rain have disrupted major road sections in three districts of Gandaki and Karnali provinces, Nepal Police said, forcing one-way traffic on some routes and bringing vehicular movement to a complete halt on others. In Myagdi, a landslide has reduced the Beni-Jomsom road section to one-way operation, while in Gorkha, floods have blocked roads in and around Arughat, where traffic has reportedly stopped entirely. In Surkhet, floods and landslides have also affected road sections, some of which are currently open to one-way traffic only, according to details circulated by Nepal Police and carried by Nagarik News.
Landslide narrows Beni-Jomsom road in Myagdi
Police said the landslide occurred at Baisari in Raghuganga Rural Municipality-2 of Myagdi district, spilling debris onto the Beni-Jomsom road section. With the obstruction yet to be fully cleared, vehicles are being allowed to move along the affected stretch in one direction only, an arrangement that typically sees traffic from opposite sides alternate under the direction of those managing the site.
The disruption matters because the Beni-Jomsom road is the principal road artery linking Beni, the headquarters of Myagdi district, with Jomsom, the administrative centre of Mustang. The route is regularly used by local residents, goods carriers, pilgrims and trekkers traveling toward the Mustang region, so even a partial restriction along the section has an immediate impact on mobility and the movement of supplies through the corridor.
As of the latest police update, no timeline had been indicated for the resumption of normal two-way traffic on the section, and further details about the scale of the debris on the carriageway were not immediately available.
Floods bring traffic to a standstill in Arughat, Gorkha
In Gorkha district, flooding has blocked road sections in Arughat Rural Municipality-2 and Arughat Rural Municipality-3, as well as in the Nayapul area of Arughat Rural Municipality-1. Police said traffic along these stretches has been completely halted, making the Arughat area the most severely affected of the disruptions reported, since the other sites are at least allowing one-way movement.
Arughat serves as an important market and transit point for a number of villages in Gorkha, and blocked roads there mean the movement of people and goods through the area has stopped for the time being. With heavy rain continuing to pose a risk of further flooding, the situation on the ground remained uncertain as of the latest reports.
Floods and landslides hit road sections in Surkhet
Surkhet, in Karnali Province, has also been affected, with police reporting that floods and landslides have disrupted road sections across the district. Some of the affected sections are currently operating one-way, allowing vehicles to pass in alternating directions while conditions are assessed.
The district is home to Birendranagar, the provincial capital of Karnali, and its road network serves as a key gateway connecting the hill districts of the province with the rest of the country. Disruption on these routes, even temporarily, complicates travel and the transport of essentials for people relying on them.
Affected road sections at a glance
- Myagdi: A landslide at Baisari in Raghuganga Rural Municipality-2 has left the Beni-Jomsom road section operating one-way.
- Gorkha: Floods have blocked roads in Arughat Rural Municipality-2 and 3 and the Nayapul area of Arughat Rural Municipality-1, where traffic is completely halted.
- Surkhet: Floods and landslides have affected road sections, with some stretches operating one-way.
Travelers planning to use any of these routes should check the latest road conditions with police or local authorities before setting out, as situations along hill roads can change quickly during spells of heavy rain. Drivers passing through one-way sections should move cautiously and follow the instructions of personnel managing traffic at the sites.
Landslides and flooding are a recurring hazard on Nepal's highways, particularly where roads cut across steep and fragile slopes. Intense rainfall loosens soil and rock on hillsides above the roads, sending debris onto carriageways, while in low-lying sections, rising water can spill across the road surface and make passage impossible. Clearing work generally depends on the rain easing and on conditions being safe for crews and machinery to operate.
Nepal Police has circulated details of the latest disruptions to warn travelers and update the public on the state of the main road network. Further information about the condition of the affected sections, and about efforts to restore full movement, was not immediately available. The blockages were separately reported by Rato Pati and Nepal Press, citing police information, and updates are expected as assessments of the roads continue.
