Kamalamai, Oct 1: The BP Highway, a major route connecting hilly districts like Sindhuli and eastern Nepal with Kathmandu, has been severely damaged by floods and landslides caused by heavy rain from Thursday to Saturday, leaving it nearly deserted. The highway, which is typically busy with traffic, now sees limited movement, and local businesses along the route are struggling.

Several sections of the 160 km highway, which was built with the assistance of the Japanese government, have suffered extensive damage. Landslides have piled up in over 40 locations between Upper Bara and Nepalthok Dumja of Golanjor Rural Municipality, and road damage is significant in areas like Tuppidanda, Kamerephant, and Jhangajholi Ratmata. Continuous falling stones and mudslides in some parts have made the highway highly unstable.

Efforts to restore the highway have begun, with one-way traffic resumed in some sections. In the Kandhungri area of Sunkoshi Rural Municipality, a temporary 50-meter diversion road was constructed after a segment of the road collapsed into the Sunkoshi River. Additionally, the Roshi and Hyampe rivers are being diverted to restore washed-out road segments in the Nepalthok-Dhulikhel section.

Despite the partial reopening of some sections, the extent of the damage, especially in areas like Chowkidanda, Kaldhunga, and Boksikuna, where large sections of road have been swept away, has delayed full restoration. Local authorities and stakeholders are working to make the highway operational before the upcoming Dasain festival, though the timeline remains uncertain.