Heavy rains have caused significant disruptions on the Siddhartha Highway near Sunauli-Pokhara section, impacting travel along a crucial tourist route. Approximately 50 meters of road have been washed away, leaving vehicles stranded along the roadside.
According to officials from the District Police Office, continuous rainfall has prevented repair work at various points along the Siddhartha Highway, including vital rural access roads. This obstruction has also affected alternate routes, exacerbating the travel challenges.
Additionally, the recent power outage in Butwal has left 40,000 service users in darkness since Saturday morning. This outage, attributed to flood damage at the Aandhikhola hydroelectric project site, has disrupted electricity services in Syangja’s Galyang area. Dol Kharel, Chief of the Aandhikhola Hydropower Center, noted the accumulation of debris and sediment in the reservoir due to heavy rains, hindering the water intake process essential for power generation.
Furthermore, the flood’s impact has caused severe sedimentation in the Aandhikhola, necessitating reservoir cleaning before normal power generation can resume. Dol Kharel emphasized the ongoing efforts to repair the damaged distribution lines near Valing-6, Mirde Bazaar, despite logistical challenges.
Travelers are advised to seek alternative routes due to the ongoing disruptions and to monitor local authorities’ updates for road clearance and power restoration efforts.
