KATHMANDU, July 18: The Kathmandu District Administration Office (DAO) has issued a travel alert urging motorists and the public to exercise extreme caution while entering or leaving the Kathmandu Valley, as heavy rainfall is forecast to increase the risk of floods and landslides.
The local administration said the advisory was issued in view of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology's red alert for areas likely to receive heavy rainfall during the ongoing monsoon. In a statement on Saturday, the DAO, Kathmandu urged drivers, vehicle owners, transport operators and passengers using the Valley's northern, southern, eastern and western entry points to verify road conditions with the police before starting their journeys. It also advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly at night, when heavy rainfall is forecast.
Recalling the severe damage caused by floods and landslides during previous monsoon seasons, the administration urged travelers to stop only at locations safe from flood and landslide risks if roads become blocked and to resume their journeys only after receiving official confirmation from the police that the roads have been reopened.
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Meanwhile, the Makwanpur District Administration Office has suspended night-time vehicular movement on two key routes linking Hetauda and Kathmandu as a precautionary measure.
According to District Police Office, Makwanpur, vehicles traveling from Hetauda to Kathmandu via the Deurali–Kulekhani–Pharping route will be stopped at Chaukitol in Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City-1 from 8 pm Saturday until 5 AM Sunday.
Similarly, vehicles heading to Kathmandu via the Hetauda–Thingan–Bagmati–Satdobato (Kanti Lokpath) route, which connects Makwanpur and Lalitpur, will be halted at Chaughada Bazaar in Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City-6 from 6 PM Saturday.
The restrictions were imposed after weather forecasts warned of continuous heavy rainfall from Saturday evening through Sunday morning, with authorities citing the need to minimize the risk of accidents and disasters caused by possible floods and landslides.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant, monitor official updates on weather and road conditions, and follow travel advisories until the situation improves.
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