BP Highway Night Closure Extended as Landslide Risk Grows in Kavrepalanchok
Authorities have extended the BP Highway’s overnight closure in Kavrepalanchok as unseasonal rainfall keeps triggering landslide risks along vulnerable sections of the route.
The BP Highway in Kavrepalanchok will stay closed to traffic every night from 6:00 PM to 4:00 AM after authorities extended the indefinite nighttime restriction to reduce the risk of landslide-related accidents. The decision comes as persistent, unseasonal rainfall continues to destabilize vulnerable stretches of the route.
The District Security Committee said the move is meant to protect passengers and prevent nighttime travel through sections where landslides remain a serious threat. The restriction continues a month-long control period already in place on the highway.
Why the closure was extended
Officials are responding to a familiar but escalating hazard: rain-triggered slope failures along one of the most important road links between Kathmandu Valley and eastern Nepal. In recent reporting, landslides, mudslides, and flood damage have repeatedly blocked sections of the BP Highway in Kavrepalanchok, forcing authorities to halt traffic until conditions improve.
Earlier incidents on the route included multiple blockages caused by landslides and overflowing rivers, with vehicles stranded and clearance work repeatedly interrupted by fresh slides and ongoing rain. In some cases, even repair and debris removal efforts had to stop because the ground remained unstable.
What the new rule means for travelers
From Wednesday onward, no vehicles will be allowed on the highway during the overnight window. The closure runs from 6:00 PM to 4:00 AM, leaving a 10-hour daily shutdown intended to minimize exposure to landslide danger after dark.
For commuters, long-distance buses, and freight operators, the update means tighter travel planning and possible delays. The restriction is especially important for those moving between Kathmandu, the eastern hills, and the Tarai, where the BP Highway serves as a critical connector.
A high-risk corridor under pressure
The BP Highway has faced repeated disruption in recent months due to heavy rain, flash flooding, and slope collapse. Authorities have also warned travelers to check road conditions before setting out, as restoration work can be slowed or halted when weather remains unfavorable.
The latest extension underscores a broader challenge for Nepal’s mountain and hill roads: even when traffic is restored, the risk often returns quickly if rain continues. In that sense, the overnight closure is less a routine traffic rule than a safety measure for an increasingly fragile transport corridor.
What to watch next
Any return to normal nighttime traffic will depend on weather conditions and the stability of landslide-prone sections. For now, the priority remains keeping vehicles away from the most vulnerable stretches until the risk eases.