Heavy rainfall triggered a devastating landslide blocks Mid-Hill Highway in Sindhuli situation at the Akkare cliff along the Khurkot–Ghurmi section, leaving travellers stranded and the regional road network in chaos. This article explores the unfolding situation, impact, response, and what lies ahead for the local communities.
Table of Contents
What happened?
A landslide has struck at Mid‑Hill Highway in the east-central Nepali district of Sindhuli, specifically in ward 6 of Golanjor Rural Municipality at the Akkare cliff, within the Khurkot–Ghurmi section.
Because of this, a large number of vehicles travelling from districts such as Sindhuli, Udayapur, Okhaldhunga, Khotang, Solukhumbu, Bhojpur and Ramechhap are currently stranded at key check-points like Khurkot and Gwaltar.
The blockage has occurred due to continuous rainfall, which prevented the clearing of debris. According to local ward chairman Rabin Kumar Shrestha, efforts using heavy machinery were hampered by ongoing rain.
Why it occurred: rainfall & geological trigger
Heavy rainfall & saturation
Meteorological reports show that the eastern hill region, including Sindhuli, has experienced incessant rainfall, saturating slopes and triggering instability.
Unstable terrain and road construction factors
The Khurkot–Ghurmi stretch passes through steep terrain of Golanjor Rural Municipality. Historical records note frequent landslide risks along the Mid-Hill Highway owing to unstable geology, inadequate drainage and rapid slope changes.
The immediate trigger
Local police indicate the slide occurred when water‐logged soil and loose debris gave way near the cliff above the roadway – blocking the route and immobilising trucks beneath.
3. Who’s affected: passengers, districts & traffic flows
Stranded travellers
Hundreds of people are trapped: from eastern hill districts such as Udayapur, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, Bhojpur, and Ramechhap – heading toward the Kathmandu valley – their journey has been abruptly halted at Khurkot and Gwaltar.
Vehicle backlog and economic cost
Commercial vehicles – such as trucks carrying livestock and goods – are stuck. One report even mentioned a buffalo‐laden truck caught in the mudslide.
Impact on road network
Because this blockade sits on the Mid-Hill Highway, a major east–west corridor, the disruption has ripple effects:
- Delays in freight and passenger transport
- Increased risk of secondary incidents (waiting vehicles, stranded travellers)
- Spill-over delays on the neighboring BP Highway and other arterial roads – given the alternate routes are also affected by rain.
4. Road-clearance and response efforts
On-the-ground action
Local authorities have deployed machinery to clear debris, but the operation is hampered by continuing rainfall and unstable terrain above. As chairman Shrestha noted:
“Despite efforts with machinery we cannot clear yet as rain continues and the cliff remains unstable.” — Rabin Kumar Shrestha
Traffic restrictions & precautionary measures
The district administration has issued notices to halt vehicle movement especially during nighttime due to increased landslide/flood risk. For example, vehicles were prohibited from using the highways from 5 pm to 5 am in some zones. b360nepal.com
Coordination with rescue and engineering teams
Police, Rural Municipality offices, and machinery crews are coordinating to manage the debris clearing, traffic control and safety of stranded passengers. Ongoing monitoring of hillside conditions is indicated.
Key take-aways
- The landslide blocks Mid-Hill Highway in Sindhuli marks a significant transport disruption caused by heavy rainfall and unstable terrain.
- Hundreds of passengers and numerous vehicles from eastern hill districts are stranded at Khurkot/Gwaltar.
- Response efforts are underway but face delays due to continuing rain and hazardous terrain.
- The broader transport network across eastern Nepal is strained – reinforcing the need for improved disaster resilience and route management.
- Travellers and authorities alike must remain alert: alternative routes, timely advisories and engineering interventions are critical moving forward.
