Nepal’s Monsoon: How Is the Government Managing Highways Affected by Rainfall?

With the onset of the monsoon season in Nepal and entering the second week of Ashar, the first meeting of the Monsoon Response Command Post was held at Singha Durbar, focusing specifically on how to address hazardous conditions on highways during the rainy period. Pradeep Kumar Koirala, Executive Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, explained that an internal application operated in coordination with the Department of Roads involves all relevant stakeholders.

“This ‘Setu App’ includes all dozer operators from the Department of Roads. Additionally, security agencies, district coordination committees, and all parties involved in response efforts are connected,” Koirala stated. “If anyone reports a landslide by calling the Ministry of Home Affairs’ toll-free number 1149, it is immediately registered as an incident, and the Department of Roads team provides necessary instructions via the app.” Dozers are arranged to reach the site within 30 minutes.

Engineer Shyam Bahadur Khadka, spokesperson for the Department of Roads, noted that locations prone to landslides have been identified based on previous incidents. “We have pinpointed 140 locations on national highways where traffic blockages may occur and stationed 155 pieces of equipment at these points,” he said. “An additional 122 machines are available nationwide if needed, and private-sector dozers can also be deployed.”

Following increased landslide problems on Kantipath, local authorities announced a suspension of public transportation from Sunday night until further notice. An advisory issued by the Lalitpur District Administration Office has instructed districts to halt essential vehicle operations on national highways and local roads depending on the severity of the disaster. Similarly, various sections of the BP Highway have seen similar decisions by district administrations. “Particularly during heavy rainfall, such decisions are necessary. Local administrations can act as required,” added Pradeep Kumar Koirala, head of the Disaster Authority.