Direct transport links between Pokhara and the major rural tourist destinations of Sikles and Ghandruk have been severed due to landslides, affecting tourism and local life.
In Annapurna Rural Municipality-11, landslides on the roads leading to Ghandruk and Sikles in Madi Rural Municipality-1 have disrupted road connections. The inability to operate the roads has impacted tourist activities in these villages.
The Pokhara-Ghandruk road connection was cut off on the night of Ashadh 20 (July 4) when a landslide washed away the road at Kliu in Annapurna Rural Municipality-10. Local tourism entrepreneur Kisham Gurung stated that the road obstruction has halted the movement of tourists.
“Previously, tourists would visit even during the rainy season, but now the roads are deserted due to the blockage. Tourists who wanted to visit canceled their trips after learning about the road conditions. This has not only affected tourists but also caused difficulties for the locals,” Gurung said.
Ghandruk is the gateway to the world-famous Annapurna Base Camp trek, attracting hundreds of tourists daily during the peak season. Bharatman Gurung, the spokesperson for the rural municipality, mentioned that the landslide had washed away the road 50 meters below. He emphasized the need for a detailed technical study for road repair.
“The road has fallen significantly, and there is no place to open a new track above. It’s challenging to reopen the road,” spokesperson Gurung said. The chairperson of the rural municipality, Bishnu Bahadur KC, along with the municipality’s technical team and the chief of the provincial infrastructure development office, Shobhit Khadka, inspected the landslide site. Continuous rainfall and limited resources have made it impossible for the municipality to clear the road.
The main road connecting Sikles to Pokhara, the Kahunkhola-Sikles-Dudh Pokhari road, has also been blocked by landslides in several places over the past few days. Landslides have occurred at Madi-7 Hatigaunda, Madi-6 Kerabari, Madi-1 Chipli, and near Khilung and Padhukhola.
Devi Jung Gurung, the ward chairperson of Madi-1, stated that the landslides have affected rural life. Despite efforts by the ward office and locals to clear the landslides, recurrent landslides have prevented the restoration of transport. Gurung said, “Traveling from Pokhara to Sikles requires changing vehicles four times due to the road condition.”
