Frequent landslides on the Muglin-Narayangarh highway disrupted daily transportation services on Tuesday. Due to the high risk on the road, the Chitwan administration has imposed a traffic ban from 8 PM to 5 AM. The Department of Roads has kept 277 machines ready nationwide to promptly clear blocked roads.
Kathmandu, 28 July — The country’s main highway, the Muglin-Narayangarh section, was repeatedly blocked on Tuesday due to landslides. According to the Road Division Office in Bharatpur, the first blockage occurred at 7:30 AM caused by a new landslide near Khahare Khola. This site near Muglin Bazaar has been identified as a high-risk area for landslides.
The road remained closed for nearly five hours and reopened around 1:30 PM. However, another landslide occurred at the same location around 3 PM. After about an hour of clearing debris, traffic resumed but was again disrupted at 6 PM. Currently, the road is operational, but the office has warned against using the road at night due to ongoing risks.
The Chitwan District Administration has banned vehicle movement on the highway from 8 PM to 5 AM. The Muglin-Narayangarh highway runs through one of the highest-risk landslide zones. On Monday afternoon, a large rockfall at kilometer 17 caused the highway to remain closed for over two hours. Earlier that day, a landslide near Simaltal briefly blocked traffic for about 30 minutes. Similarly, last Saturday a rockfall near Gaighat also obstructed the road.
Areas such as Jalbire and Tuin Khola are considered the most vulnerable to landslides. The Road Division Office has confirmed landslide risks at over two dozen locations. Mauri Bridge, Namsi Bridge, Kalikhola, and Tuin Bridge are identified as the highest risk zones. Other high-risk landslide-affected areas include Gaighat, Dumre Bridge, Ghumaune, Simaltal, Jalbire, and Panchkilo.
The Department of Roads notes that new landslide challenges emerge each year in different locations. It has kept 277 machines in readiness across the country, which are operated by various heavy equipment divisions. This has accelerated efforts to quickly clear blocked roads. Machines are being deployed in coordination with the Road Division Offices to maintain traffic flow.
Prioritizing landslide control this time, the government has allocated a budget of three billion rupees. Around 60 to 70 landslide-prone areas have been identified, where studies and immediate work are planned in selected locations. The Muglin-Narayangarh highway is a key route connecting the federal capital Kathmandu with other regions. Although the road was upgraded a few years ago, landslide risks have increased since. Experts have pointed out that expanding the road by cutting into stable rocky hillsides has heightened vulnerability over time.
