Prithvi Highway Shuts Down After Krishnabhir Landslide Cracks Road Near Trishuli River

A major landslide and road subsidence at Krishnabhir in Dhading has fully blocked the Muglin-Kathmandu section of the Prithvi Highway, bringing one of Nepal’s busiest transport corridors to a standstill.

Heavy rainfall and flooding in the Trishuli River caused a large portion of the road to crack and collapse on Sunday morning, forcing authorities to stop all vehicular movement between Narayangadh, Pokhara, and Kathmandu.

According to the Bagmati Province Traffic Police Office, traffic had briefly resumed after officials monitored rising water levels, but the situation worsened around 8:30 AM when a landslide hit the same area again and triggered a total closure.

Why this matters

The Prithvi Highway is a critical lifeline for passenger travel, cargo movement, and intercity connectivity in Nepal. When this route is blocked, the impact spreads quickly across tourism, trade, and daily commuting, especially for travelers moving between the capital and western Nepal.

Krishnabhir has long been considered a vulnerable stretch, and the latest collapse underscores how exposed road infrastructure can become during intense monsoon conditions.

What happened on Sunday

Authorities initially tracked the water situation near the river and allowed limited movement after conditions appeared manageable. But the road surface gave way soon after, with the landslide and subsidence leaving the section unsafe for all traffic.

The closure has effectively cut off direct travel on this stretch, forcing drivers and passengers to wait for updates while repair and clearance plans are assessed.

Travel impact

With the Muglin-Kathmandu section blocked, delays are expected across the wider highway network. Intercity buses, freight trucks, and private vehicles may need to take alternative routes where available, though those options are likely to be slower and more congested.

For now, the situation remains fluid, and travelers are being forced to follow official traffic instructions and avoid the affected stretch entirely.

Looking ahead

The collapse adds fresh pressure on authorities already dealing with repeated monsoon-related disruptions across Nepal’s road system. Until the slope stabilizes and the damaged section is repaired, the Prithvi Highway may continue to face intermittent closures and unsafe conditions.

This latest incident is another reminder that in Nepal’s monsoon season, a single landslide can ripple far beyond the hillside and disrupt an entire region’s mobility in minutes.