Road links restored to flood-hit Rasuwa as Prithvi Highway reopens

Road connectivity to flood-hit Rasuwa has been restored following the Bhotekoshi River flooding on Wednesday, allowing small four-wheeled vehicles to operate along the route from Kathmandu through Tokha, Chhahare, Sarmathali, Bogatitar and Kalikasthan to Dhunche.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said the reopening has reconnected Rasuwa to the national road network, easing the movement of rescue teams, relief supplies and essential goods into affected areas.

Elsewhere, two-way traffic has resumed on most of the Prithvi Highway, except for about a one-kilometre stretch at Baireni Bazaar in Dhading. Authorities have been clearing mud and debris deposited by the swollen Trishuli River, with traffic gradually returning to normal.

The highway had remained blocked for three days before being partially reopened. After debris was cleared from the Galchhi–Malekhu section, vehicles stranded along the route were moved safely toward their destinations.

The disruption had also affected the supply of essential goods to Kathmandu, making the highway’s reopening a priority. Teams from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Department of Roads were mobilised for clearance operations.

Several excavators were deployed from early Friday to remove accumulated mud around Galchhi and Baireni, with authorities continuing efforts to further improve traffic flow.

The Bhotekoshi floods have caused significant loss of life and property across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and surrounding districts. Over 500 hundred have died and thousands remain unaccounted for, while security agencies continue search, rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.