ILAM: Heavy rainfall triggered landslides and mudflows, completely blocking critical sections of the Mechi Highway in Ilam district on Saturday night.

The Golakharka-Rajduwali road section in Ilam Municipality-9 was obstructed after a massive mudslide cascaded down onto the highway from above Maikhola.

Chief District Officer Laxman Dhakal stated that efforts have been underway since early morning to clear the debris and open at least one-way traffic for smaller vehicles, though continuous mudflows have delayed the resumption of larger vehicles on this chronically risky stretch.

Simultaneously, another section of the Mechi Highway near the Ilam-Jhapa border in Rong Rural Municipality-4 was blocked by a collapsed mound of earth and two fallen trees.

SP Kuldip Chand, chief of the District Police Office, confirmed that emergency clearance work is also active at that site.

The highway closures have brought transport to a standstill, stranding hundreds of passengers and directly impacting commuters traveling between Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar, and Taplejung.