Domestic and international tourists who recently traveled to Gosainkunda have begun returning to Kathmandu through an alternative route after the regular road toward Dhunche was disrupted by the Bhotekoshi flood in Rasuwa. With the main route no longer operating normally, travelers are using the Gosainkunda-Dupcheshwar-Kathmandu connection to make their way back to the capital. Although the alternative journey is more difficult than the usual route, it has provided an important transportation option for visitors who were affected by the sudden disruption.
Flood Disrupts The Main Route, Forcing Tourists To Reroute
The closure of the regular road toward Dhunche has significantly affected the movement of tourists returning from Gosainkunda. To maintain access, the alternative route has been opened for small four-wheeled vehicles, allowing travelers to continue their journeys despite the damage caused by the flood. The route connects Kathmandu-Tokha-Chhahare-Gadhkhar Bridge-Aapra-Nalja-Lachhyang-Saramthali-Patikhark to Bogetitar-Kalikasthan-Dhunche road, creating a temporary link between the affected area and the capital.
Tourists traveling along the alternative road have reported that the route is somewhat difficult, but many have expressed relief at being able to return to Kathmandu. The availability of the road has provided a practical option at a time when the regular transportation connection has been disrupted, helping visitors complete their return journeys while movement through the affected parts of Rasuwa remains challenging.
Bhotekoshi Flood Causes Widespread Infrastructure Damage
The disruption to tourist travel is part of a much wider impact caused by the Bhotekoshi flood, which has severely affected transportation infrastructure across Rasuwa.
According to the report, 12 bridges in Rasuwa have been swept away, while a large number of road sections have also suffered damage from the flooding. The destruction has made transportation increasingly difficult throughout the district and has disrupted access to areas that rely heavily on road connections.
The damage is particularly significant for mountain destinations such as Gosainkunda, where road access plays an important role in connecting visitors with the surrounding communities and transportation hubs. With the main Dhunche route affected, the alternative road has become an important temporary connection for tourists already in the area. The situation demonstrates how flooding and related infrastructure damage can quickly affect mobility in remote tourism regions.
Alternative Route Provides A Crucial Link For Visitors
The movement of tourists through the alternative route has helped maintain a degree of connectivity between Gosainkunda and Kathmandu despite the difficult circumstances. For domestic and international visitors who had already completed their journey to the pilgrimage and mountain destination, the ability to travel by small vehicles has offered a practical way to leave the affected area without waiting for the regular route to fully reopen.
The development also highlights the importance of transportation links in supporting tourism in Nepal’s mountainous regions. Destinations such as Gosainkunda depend on reliable road and trail connections to maintain visitor movement, while local communities and businesses similarly rely on these routes for access to essential services and markets. As tourists continue returning to Kathmandu through the alternative route, maintaining safe passage will remain important while the flood-damaged infrastructure across Rasuwa is gradually addressed.
