ILAM: The Ilam–Rajduwali section of the Mechi Highway under Ilam Municipality-9, blocked by a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall on October 4, cannot be reopened immediately.

Chief District Officer (CDO) Sunita Nepal said the road remains closed due to complex geological conditions.

Despite continuous efforts, she stated, the recurring landslides and road subsidence have made reopening extremely difficult.

“Attempts to clear the road are ongoing, but given the difficult terrain, it cannot be opened for operation anytime soon,” said CDO Nepal.

The disruption has affected travelers and vehicular movement between Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar, and Taplejung districts for the past nine days.

Meanwhile, authorities have begun identifying and preparing alternative routes for small vehicles.

According to Nepal, small vehicles are currently being operated along the Tilkeni–Bajradevi–Namasing–Naya Bazar–Fikkal route since Sunday.

From Monday, preparations are underway to allow small vehicles via the Tilkeni–Simlago road section.

“The Division Road Office has started installing humepipes over the Jogmai stream under the Tilkeni–Simlago road to create a diversion since Sunday,” Nepal said.

“If all goes as planned, small vehicles will begin operating along that route from Monday,” she added.

However, CDO Nepal noted that no suitable alternative route has yet been identified for heavy and cargo vehicles.

She added that due to sharp bends and narrow sections along both alternative routes, large vehicles cannot safely pass through.

The Ilam Division Road Office has temporarily suspended reconstruction work along the Rajduwali section of the Mechi Highway.

According to Engineer Arjun Ghimire, the office’s information officer, the geological complexity in Rajduwali and the urgent need to mobilize manpower and resources along the alternative routes have forced them to halt reconstruction.

“We tried to reopen the Rajduwali section but were unsuccessful,” Ghimire said. “Now we are focusing our resources and workforce on the alternative routes, and once that is completed, we will resume reconstruction on the Rajduwali section.”