Mechi Highway Section Blocked Due to Heavy Rainfall, Disrupting Traffic to Eastern Hill Districts
Summary
The Rajduwali section of the Mechi Highway in Nepal is blocked due to heavy rainfall, causing transportation disruptions and shortages in eastern hill districts Ilam, Panchthar, and Taplejung. Alternative routes are also affected, and relief efforts are hindered by delays in bridge imports.
Key Points
- The Rajduwali section of Mechi Highway is blocked due to continuous rainfall and landslides, disrupting traffic to eastern hill districts Ilam, Panchthar, and Taplejung.
- Alternative routes including Simlagoai-Tilkeni and Kichana-Kanchenjunga Fast Track are also closed due to floods, halting transport of essential goods and causing market shortages.
- Delay in import of Bailey bridges from India prolongs the road blockade, stranding cargo and fuel tankers on the opposite side of the Mai River.
- Local officials and assembly members call for permanent alternative routes and blame weak infrastructure and water leakage from hydropower projects for recurring landslides at Rajduwali.
