Mechi Highway Section Blocked Due to Heavy Rainfall, Disrupting Traffic to Eastern Hill Districts

Biratnagar. The Rajduwali section of the Mechi Highway has been blocked again due to continuous rainfall for the past few days. This has severed the direct road connection of the eastern hilly districts of Ilam, Panchthar, and Taplejung with the Terai. Not only the main highway but also alternative routes have been washed away by floods and landslides, making it difficult to transport essential goods to these three districts.

The Rajduwali section in Ilam had been at risk for the past four days. On Monday, the road further subsided, halting all types of vehicles, both small and large. The alternative route, Simlagoai-Tilkeni, which was immediately put into use after the highway was blocked, has also been closed after the diversion on the Jogmai River was washed away by the flood. Similarly, traffic has been completely halted as floodwaters are flowing over the diversion of the Puwa River on the Kichana-Kanchenjunga Fast Track connecting to Jhapa.