Kathmandu, 21 March (H.S.)

Continuous rain snowfall and landslides have completely disrupted traffic on key highways across Nepal Saturday leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

Heavy snow in Rukum East blocked the Mid-Hill Highway's Lukum-Patihalna stretch where seven buses one jeep and five motorcycles remain stuck with over 250 travelers trapped reports the District Police Office. Night buses from Kathmandu are among those caught with persistent snow and rain complicating clearance efforts while phone services remain disrupted hampering relief coordination.

Deputy Superintendent Keshavraj Gyawali confirmed the night buses predicament underscoring restoration challenges.

Western Nepal faces equally dire conditions with Saturday morning rains and landslides halting East-West Highway's Daunne section and Siddhartha Highway's Butwal-Palpa stretch. A rockslide at Siddhababa area Dobhan Palpa sealed the Siddhartha route completely.

Butwal Traffic Management Office noted Daunne's extreme slipperiness halted bidirectional traffic diverting vehicles via Palpa route now also blocked. Police efforts to reopen roads continue despite ongoing rain.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar