The District Administration Office in Makwanpur has prohibited vehicles from travelling on the Kanti Highway, which connects Makwanpur with Kathmandu, during the night on Kartik 13 and 14, citing increased risks of floods and landslides after continuous rainfall. The restriction applies from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am on both days, Assistant Chief District Officer Sheshkant Poudel said.

Two-night restriction on the Kanti Lokpath

The measure covers the highway also known as the Kanti Lokpath. Under the order, vehicles will not be allowed to use the route during the specified overnight hours on Kartik 13 and 14. The announcement identifies the restriction as a temporary safety measure linked to the prevailing weather conditions.

The administration has set the same time window for both nights: traffic is prohibited from 5:00 pm until 5:00 am. The restriction therefore spans the evening and overnight period, while the announced ban does not cover travel outside those hours. The notice applies to the highway as a whole, rather than describing a restriction limited to a particular section.

Poudel said continuous rainfall had raised the danger of flooding and landslides along the route. The decision comes as rain is being influenced by Cyclone Arnab, which formed in the Bay of Bengal. Authorities cited those conditions as the reason for stopping night-time movement during the two-day period.

Rainfall raises concerns for travel

The risk cited by the administration is especially relevant to journeys made at night, when drivers may have less time to respond to hazards on the road. However, the available information does not specify particular locations affected by flooding or landslide activity, nor does it report that a landslide or flood has already blocked the highway. The stated basis for the order is the danger created by continuing rain.

The restriction is temporary and limited to the two dates named by the administration. Travellers planning to use the Kanti Highway should take account of the 5:00 pm start time and avoid setting out on the route during the prohibited period. Those travelling between Makwanpur and Kathmandu may need to plan their journeys around the overnight closure. No alternative route or separate travel arrangement was identified in the announcement.

What travellers need to know

The key details of the order are:

  • Route: Kanti Highway, also known as Kanti Lokpath, linking Makwanpur and Kathmandu.
  • Dates: Kartik 13 and 14.
  • Prohibited hours: 5:00 pm to 5:00 am on both nights.
  • Reason: Continuous rainfall has increased the risk of floods and landslides, with rain influenced by Cyclone Arnab, formed in the Bay of Bengal.

The administration's announcement does not provide further details about possible changes to the restriction, the condition of specific road sections or the expected duration of the rainfall. The ban, as announced, is confined to night-time traffic on Kartik 13 and 14. Drivers should check for any updated information from local authorities before travelling, particularly if their journey would overlap with the restricted hours.