KATHMANDU: The BP Highway, which was damaged by landslides and floods caused by continuous rainfall on October 3 and 4 is reopening for traffic from Friday.

The diversion construction along the damaged sections has been completed, allowing vehicles to operate again on the key route connecting Kathmandu to eastern Nepal.

The road division office in Bhaktapur has completed the diversion works on the damaged stretches from Chaukidanda in Namobuddha Municipality, Kavrepalanchok, up to Nepalthok on the Kavre–Sindhuli border.

The reconstruction of the highway is being carried out under the Bhaktapur Road Division.

The floods had previously washed away a temporary diversion built after last year’s landslides, causing the highway to remain completely obstructed since October 3.

The landslides severely affected areas including Chaukidanda, Boksekuna, Mamti, Charsaybensi, and Ghumane.

During major festivals such as Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath, the highway handles up to 15,000 vehicles daily, while on regular days it carries between 8,000 to 10,000 vehicles.

The closure had forced vehicles to take detours almost double or triple the normal distance.

The continuous rainfall on October 3 and 4 destroyed 16 diversion points along the highway, washing away a total of 3,410 meters, according to the Department of Roads.

Last year, floods and landslides had similarly damaged 5,300 meters of diversions in 16 different locations.

The floods from the Rosi River had erased entire sections of the highway, leaving it impassable even for pedestrians.