Heavy Rainfall Continues in Nepal Until October 6; Authorities Advise People to Avoid Travel and Trekking

There is a continuous and steady rain all over Nepal presently, with the meteorologists predicting the rainy weather to continue until October 6. The overall downpour has led to overflowing rivers, landslides, and floods in most parts, inducing huge chaos in transport, tourism, and daily life.

The precipitation is a result of an active monsoon system that intensified over the central and eastern regions of Nepal, as stated by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM). The department has issued warnings for potential floods and landslides in a number of districts, including Chitwan, Makwanpur, Dhading, Kaski, Myagdi, Sindhupalchok, and Dolakha. Individuals and tourists who live in these districts have been requested to remain vigilant and limit extra movement until the weather improves.

Major highways and roads across the country have been hit hard by floods and landslides. The Kathmandu-Mugling Highway, being one of the most crowded highways connecting the capital to the west and south, has witnessed numerous landslide blockage incidents, causing traffic jams and occasional closures. Sections of the Prithvi Highway, Midhill Highway, and some local roads have also been disrupted or rendered impassable by debris flow.

 

The authorities have sent road maintenance teams to open the closed roads, but continuous rain is slowing down the work. The public is asked not to try long-distance road journeys until it is officially cleared to do so, as the risk of spontaneous landslides remains.

The bad weather has also affected the tourism sector, particularly trekking and climbing expeditions in main regions such as Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, and Manaslu regions. The trekking agencies have been instructed to cancel or delay all the departures for trekking until the weather is stable.

Many remote trails have become slippery and dangerous, with minor landslides on trails that lead up to Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit. Domestic and foreign trekkers have been warned by local authorities and trekking agencies to remain in safer locations and not pass through high-risk areas.

Tourism trekking agencies have reached their clients to reschedule schedules and delay booked tours. Some tourists who are already in far-flung areas have been asked to stay at local tea houses or lodges until they can be rescued or evacuated.

Against the backdrop of rising threats, emergency response teams, Nepal Police, and the Nepal Army remain on high alert to step in for affected individuals. The Home Ministry has directed district governments to maintain vulnerable areas under close surveillance and prepare for potential evacuation procedures if river levels keep rising.

Residents of low-lying riverine settlements such as the Bagmati, Narayani, and Koshi have been ordered to leave their homes and stay updated through official websites.

If the visitors or trekkers find themselves in danger due to landslide, floods, or road blockages, they are asked to report the situation to nearby authorities, police stations, or the 24-hour rescue phones at the earliest.

Every form of travel in Nepal, including domestic flights, highway travel, and trekking expeditions, has been urged to be postponed until after October 6 by the authorities. The primary concern is ensuring the safety of the locals and tourists until weather conditions get better. DHM has indicated that once the monsoon system winds down, the skies would tend to clear step by step in most locations, setting the stage for road repair work and rescue operations to continue without a hitch.

Until then, officials stress that safety must be the top priority.

“We want everyone to exercise caution and keep a keen ear out for weather reports. Your safety is our priority,” added a representative of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. While the rains persist, the authorities, tourism operators, and the locals are all cooperating to prevent risks and ensure that all travelers remain secure until the weather gets better.