The blocked Siddhartha highway has been opened one-way due to the landslide that occurred around 4 am this morning and the tipper stuck in the culvert under construction. The incident took place in Siddhababa area of Palpa's Tinau rural municipality-3, Dobhan. The tipper stuck in the culvert has been pulled out and the work to remove the landslide is going on.
District Police Office Palpa said that after the road was opened in one direction, the stopped vehicles were sent to their destination one by one. Vehicles from Palpa to Butwal and from Butwal to Palpa and other hilly districts are in operation.
The same landslide also swept away the car numbered J 0276 of Lumbini province coming from Butwal towards Palpa. Although the car was completely damaged, the driver and passengers were rescued safely, police said. While moving, the car was buried by a landslide that fell from above.
The tipper stuck in the culvert under construction was pulled out with the help of heavy equipment. At present, the China State Construction Engineering Corporation is working on the construction of tunnels as well as culverts, drains and rock netting on the highway in Siddhababa area.
Siddharth Highway is a major route connecting the Terai with the hilly districts of Palpa, Gulmi, Arghakhanchi, Syangja, Pokhara, Parbat, Baglung, Myagdi, Mustang and others. The Siddhababa region is known as a landslide prone area at any time of the year, be it rainy or dry, due to its poor topography.
