Pokhara, 5 October | The Prithvi Highway has been blocked after a section of the road at Sankhar, Ambukhaireni Rural Municipality-4, Tanahun, collapsed. The heavy rainfall that started early Saturday morning is cited as the cause of the road sinking, which has completely halted traffic on the vital Ambukhaireni-Muglin stretch. Police Inspector Tek Prasad Subedi of the Area Police Office, Ambukhaireni, confirmed the incident in the afternoon and urged the public to avoid travel through this route, emphasizing that the area is currently highly risky.
The sinking of the road at this specific location is a concerning recurrence. On May 27, 2022, the same spot had experienced a road collapse. Following that incident, the road was rebuilt by cutting into the hillside and constructing a retaining wall towards the Marsyangdi River. The police have noted that the repeated failure of the road, even after major reconstruction work, highlights the geological instability and inherent vulnerability of this section. Efforts to clear the debris and restore the route are underway; however, the ongoing rain is creating major obstructions to the work. The authorities are advising commuters to take alternative routes or postpone their journey until the highway is confirmed to be safe and fully operational, as this major blockage severely impacts connectivity.
