Baglung’s renowned religious and tourist destinations have become desolate as heavy rainfall continues to wreak havoc in the region. Roads across various parts of the district have been blocked by floods and landslides, leaving tourist spots deserted for over two months.
Notable destinations such as Baraha Lake, Beldhunga, Ghaza’s Pond, Ghumte, Didi Bahini Waterfall, and Soledad, among others, are currently devoid of visitors. Even Dhorpatan Baraha Temple and the popular Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, which usually attract many tourists, are witnessing a sharp decline in visitor numbers. Last year, these spots were bustling with activity during the same period, but the unrelenting rains have kept roads impassable, making access impossible. Homestays in these areas are also non-operational due to the lack of tourists.
Local products that rely on the tourism market have been left without buyers as the roads leading to major tourist hubs, including the famous Kalika Temple, Panchakot, and the Shaligram Museum near Baglung Bazaar, remain closed. The prolonged monsoon has prevented the reopening of roads even halfway through October, leaving several key routes still blocked.
Purna Budha Magar, a resident of Taman Khola Rural Municipality-3, stated that despite high tourist activity in Soledad around this time in previous years, the area is now deserted. He mentioned, “The rains subsided briefly in the first week of October, but it started pouring again, causing severe road damage. Tourists can no longer reach popular spots easily, and those who attempt to visit are forced to turn back due to landslides blocking the roads. We expect the roads to reopen by mid-November, which will bring tourists back.”
Dhorpatan, known as an ideal destination for this season, is also witnessing a sharp decline in visitors. According to Jeevan Adai, president of the Dhorpatan Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, while hundreds of tourists flocked to Dhorpatan until last month, the deteriorating road conditions since October have significantly reduced their numbers. Adai remarked that tourists face considerable hardships traveling along the 32-kilometer road between Burtibang and Dhorpatan due to severe damage. He emphasized that unless the road is upgraded, the region’s tourism will continue to suffer.
“Dhorpatan is still a top choice for many tourists, and they also wish to visit Bukipatan. However, the poor road conditions from Burtibang have made it impossible for visitors to reach us,” Adai said. “Tourist numbers were promising until last month, but the rains have caused a sudden drop. With Dashain approaching, thousands of tourists would typically visit, but the roads have deterred them. Once the rains stop and the roads are repaired, we expect them to return.”
Himbahadur Bhandari, spokesperson for Galkot Municipality, confirmed that efforts to clear the rural roads and reopen tourist sites will begin as soon as the rains stop. He added that this year’s rains have caused extensive damage to the Mid-Hill Highway and surrounding rural roads, and while repairs are underway, it will take time to fully restore access. However, Bhandari expressed hope that all roads will be reopened before Dashain.
Tourist activities in Baglung have come to a standstill due to continuous monsoon rains, with roads blocked by floods and landslides. The adverse weather has drastically reduced visitor numbers to popular destinations like Dhorpatan, Soledad, and others, affecting local homestays and businesses. Local authorities are working to clear the roads, but repairs may not be completed until after the rainy season ends.
