Urgent Weather Alert: Heavy Rain, Travel Disruptions, and High-Altitude Warning. Nepal is currently experiencing an active monsoon period, with heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast across several provinces, including Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki. This has led to widespread government advisories and major travel disruptions.
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Severe Weather and Travel Disruptions in Nepal
Heavy and continuous rainfall has led to significant disruptions across Nepal, with heightened risks of floods and landslides. The situation is affecting major highways, air travel, and trekking routes.
Road and Transportation Closures
Major Highways Fully Closed: Many of Nepal's key highways, particularly those running alongside rivers and prone to landslides (such as Prithvi, Siddhartha, B.P., and Araniko Highways), are fully blocked or extremely risky due to continuous rain.
Kathmandu Valley Vehicle Ban: The government's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has issued a directive barring all non-essential long-distance vehicular movement both entering and exiting the Kathmandu Valley for a period of 3 days (from October 4-6, based on search results). This is a crucial safety measure to minimize risk from flash floods and landslides.
High Alert for Flooding: A "Red Alert" has been issued for numerous districts across multiple provinces (Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini), indicating an extremely high risk of flooding and rising river levels.
Post-Dashain Rush: The closure has created a significant strain, as many people attempting to return to work following the Dashain festival are now stranded on the blocked highways.
Aviation and Tourism Impact
Kathmandu International Airport (TIA) Disruption: Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu experienced a temporary closure for a few hours today due to adverse weather and low visibility, causing delays and inconvenience for many passengers. Domestic flights to and from TIA (including to Pokhara, Bharatpur, and Janakpur) have been particularly impacted and suspended temporarily or until the weather clears.
Tourist Airports Closed: Key tourist-serving airports like Lukla (for the Everest region) and Pokhara (Annapurna Region) have also been heavily affected and are currently fully closed due to the poor weather conditions.
Trekking Routes Shut Down:
Popular high-altitude trekking areas like the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek and North Annapurna Base Camp are closed for 3 days due to the high risk of landslides and the need to cross or walk near swollen rivers.
Snowfall has begun in the high Himalayas, with reports of snow in areas like Pheriche and Lobuche.
Safety and Travel Advisory
- Given the severe weather and government restrictions, travelers and residents are strongly advised to:
- Postpone all non-essential travel for the next three days, especially road travel on major highways.
- Do not travel at night on any highway connecting to or from Kathmandu.
- Avoid all trekking routes until official government advisories confirm they have reopened.
- Monitor local media and official government sources (like the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology) for the latest weather and flood forecasts.
Please prioritize safety and follow the instructions of local authorities. If you are a tourist, coordinate closely with your hotel, guide, or registered travel agency.
