Kathmandu, August 28
The Prithvi Highway, a key section of the Kathmandu–Muglin–Narayangadh road, remains blocked after a devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River deposited large amounts of mud and debris at several locations in Dhading.
The highway has been obstructed since Wednesday evening after floodwaters from the Bhotekoshi River swept mud onto sections of the road in Galchhi and Gajuri rural municipalities.
According to traffic police superintendent Dilli Narayan Pandey, debris remains to be cleared from three locations — two in Gajuri Rural Municipality and one in Galchhi Rural Municipality.
In Gajuri-5, mud has accumulated at Galoudi and Bahuni Bhir, while debris remains at Mahesh Dobhan in Galchhi Rural Municipality.
Authorities are using heavy equipment to remove the mud and debris and reopen the highway.
Pandey said the cleanup has taken longer because the affected sections are near settlements. “There are settlements where the mud has accumulated on the road. The deposited mud has to be removed and transported elsewhere, which has caused the delay,” he told Onlinekhabar.
He said equipment has yet to reach Bahuni Bhir in Gajuri-5. Work there can begin only after the debris at Galoudi and Mahesh Dobhan is cleared, he said.
Authorities are working to reopen the highway by the end of Friday, Pandey said.
