The District Administration Office (DAO), Chitwan, has urged residents, domestic travellers, and tourists to avoid non-essential travel as continuous monsoon rainfall has significantly increased the risk of landslides and floods along key highways connecting major tourism destinations.
In a public notice issued on Monday, the administration of Chitwan advised against unnecessary travel on the Narayangadh–Muglin road section and the Prithvi Highway, warning that persistent rainfall could trigger landslides and flooding, disrupting vehicular movement and posing safety risks to travellers.
Assistant Chief District Officer Chiranjivi Sharma requested the public to remain vigilant and coordinate with nearby security agencies while travelling. Travellers have also been advised to stay in contact with local governments, the Division Road Office, and other concerned authorities for real-time road and weather updates.
Major Tourist Routes Under Close Monitoring of Chitwan
The advisory comes at a time when the Narayangadh–Muglin road serves as one of Nepal’s busiest transportation corridors, linking Kathmandu with popular tourism destinations such as Chitwan National Park, Pokhara, and Lumbini. Any disruption along the route could affect domestic and international tourists travelling during the monsoon season.
A meeting of the District Disaster Management Committee concluded that continuous rainfall could obstruct traffic at multiple locations along national highways, particularly the Narayangadh–Muglin section, due to landslides and debris flow. The committee urged travellers to exercise extreme caution and postpone non-essential journeys until weather conditions improve.
Emergency Response Teams on Standby
To enhance preparedness, the committee directed security agencies, the Division Road Office, irrigation and water resources authorities, and other concerned institutions to remain on standby with heavy machinery, equipment, and emergency response tools to clear potential road blockages and respond swiftly to disasters. Authorities have identified Tuin Khola and Seti Dobhan as highly vulnerable landslide-prone areas requiring close monitoring throughout the ongoing monsoon.
Shelter Centres Prepared for Possible Emergencies
As part of disaster preparedness measures, the administration has instructed authorities to clear, clean, and keep ready the old holding centres previously used by the former District Development Committee and the Nepal Red Cross Society since 2058 BS. These facilities may be used to shelter displaced people if monsoon-induced disasters occur. The administration has also appealed to communities living along riverbanks to remain on high alert and follow safety instructions issued by local authorities.
Tourism Advisory
With monsoon-related hazards intensifying across central Nepal, tourists planning to visit Chitwan, Pokhara, or other destinations via the Narayangadh–Muglin and Prithvi Highway are advised to monitor official travel advisories, check road conditions before departure, and avoid travelling during periods of heavy rainfall unless absolutely necessary.
