Movement along most rural roads in Baitadi turns challenging during monsoon

Baitadi: The majority of rural roads in Baitadi district in the Sudurpaschim Province presently remain obstructed due to rains.

According to local stakeholders, travelling along these routes has now become highly risky, as the roads are required to be upgraded and regularly maintained.

Sher Singh Karki, a local jeep driver, reported that mudslides triggered by heavy rains have blocked several road sections, effectively halting vehicular movement. The Shreebhawar-Haat road section, which connects to the center of Purchaudi municipality, is among the most severely affected.

Transport entrepreneurs in the area have stated that operating large buses on rural roads during the monsoon season is nearly impossible. Several key routes including Dehimandau-Giregada, Sillegada-Kataujpani, Melauli-Pancheshwor, Patan-Sakar-Kailpal, Dehimandau-Durgabhawani, Dehimandau-Surakal and Dharmaghar-Sansherimandau have suffered extensive damage, rendering them muddy and hazardous.

Efforts to restore mobility have been hampered by frequent landslides and persistent rainfall. “The roads are damaged at multiple points, and travelling on them comes with a constant risk of landslides,” said a local resident.

There are also reports that some transport operators are allegedly overcharging passengers, citing the high risks involved in operating vehicles under such dangerous conditions.

Meanwhile, locals are struggling to transport daily consumer goods due to the continued disruption of road connectivity. It causes inconvenience to them for travelling during emergency as well, it is said.