Landslides, floods, and a lack of bridges on the roads of Karnali pose risks and difficulties to travelers every monsoon.
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
With the onset of monsoon, most roads in Karnali Province have become more risky due to landslides and floods. Locals say that travel during the rainy season is more difficult due to the lack of safe road infrastructure, dilapidated roads, and technical weaknesses of vehicles in the geographically remote province. In some places, the roads are not operable, and in some places, there is no bridge, forcing passengers to change vehicles midway.
According to Kuberjung Khatri of Rukum West, it is not certain when landslides will occur, the road will be blocked, or the vehicle will get stuck while traveling during the rainy season. 'It is not just about the road, it should also be safe,' he said, 'Long-distance travel is very difficult every rainy season.'
According to the Nepal Police Highway Safety and Traffic Management Office, Karnali Province, 3,230 vehicle accidents have occurred across the province in the last three fiscal years. 383 people have died in these accidents and 8,462 have been injured.
According to the office chief Hari Bahadur BC, most of the accidents have involved two-wheelers. According to him, although the main cause of the accident was human error, poor road conditions have increased the risk.
Salyan transport entrepreneur Anil Shrestha said that efforts are being made to ensure safe travel by conducting regular technical inspections of vehicles and urging passengers to travel only through ticket counters.
Road Division Office Chaurjahari Chief Khum Bahadur Bhandari said that the necessary construction materials have been kept ready to keep the road open during the rainy season. According to him, preparations are being made to operate traffic immediately using gabion nets, stones and other materials as soon as there is a landslide or road damage.
Jajarkot Police Chief Buddhi Bahadur Puri said that vehicle checks have been tightened during the rainy season and action is being taken against those who violate the rules along with necessary counseling to drivers. 'We are trying to open the road in coordination with the concerned bodies as soon as we receive information about obstructions in traffic,' he said.
According to locals, despite the expansion of the road network in Karnali, most of the roads have not yet become safe and reliable. They complain that travel remains risky and uncertain as landslides, river flooding, and road blockages continue to occur during the rainy season.
