Landslide blocks Siddhartha Highway, one car buried

KATHMANDU: A landslide that occurred around 4 AM today has blocked the Siddhartha Highway at the Siddhababa area of Tinau Rural Municipality-3 in Palpa district.

According to police, the landslide buried a car with license plate number Lumbini Province Ja 0276, causing total damage to the vehicle.

The car was traveling from Butwal toward Bhairabsthan in Palpa when it was buried by debris falling from above.

Fortunately, the driver and passenger sustained no injuries and are reported to be in normal condition.

In addition, a tipper truck got stuck in a collapsing culvert under construction at the lower and upper Siddhababa sections.

Police at the Dobhan station confirmed that efforts are ongoing to remove both the landslide debris and the trapped vehicle.

Driver Pitambar Bhattarai from Galyang, Syangja, reported that the highway has been obstructed since 4 AM due to heavy rainfall in the region.

The area is part of a broader infrastructure project, where culverts, drainage systems, and rock netting are being constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation, alongside a tunnel project in Siddhababa.

This stretch of the highway is a crucial route for vehicles traveling to and from Palpa, as well as to Gulmi, Arghakhanchi, Syangja, Pokhara, Parbat, Baglung, Myagdi, and Mustang.

Landslides are common in the region due to soft soil and unstable rock formations, even during dry weather.