BP Highway: Request to travel only with information

KATHMANDU: Authorities have urged travelers to check road conditions before using the BP Highway as unseasonal rainfall continues to trigger frequent disruptions along the key route.

The District Security Committee has imposed an indefinite night-time travel ban from 5:00 PM to 5:00 AM along the highway, citing rising risks caused by flooding and damage to temporary diversions.

According to police, the decision was taken after repeated incidents of the Roshi River swelling and washing away makeshift diversion structures, blocking the road.

Police spokesperson and Deputy Superintendent of Police Robin Bista said unseasonal rains have significantly increased the river’s water level, repeatedly damaging the diversion built along the highway stretch.

In one major incident on Monday, 89 passengers stranded in five microbuses were safely rescued around 1:00 AM from the Laskot–Ghumaune section in Roshi Rural Municipality–7.

The rescue operation was jointly conducted by the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force Nepal.

Following the flood risk, traffic along the affected section of the BP Highway was halted from Monday evening, with vehicles being held at Dhulikhel, Kavrebhanjyang, Mangaltar, and Nepalthok in Sindhuli.

Officials have urged the public to avoid travel along the route unless absolutely necessary and to rely on updates before planning journeys. Normal traffic will resume based on weather conditions, authorities said.

The highway has faced repeated disruptions since last year’s floods and landslides washed away around 18 kilometers of road between Chowkidanda, Roshi, and Nepalthok.

Temporary diversions built along riverbanks have since been repeatedly damaged by rising waters.

The Division Road Office, Bhaktapur, stated that construction of a permanent road is currently underway in the affected sections.