Biratchowk: Over a million people have left the Kathmandu Valley in just one week as the annual Dashain festival approaches. The exodus has been further complicated by landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains, causing significant road disruptions across Nepal.
Bijay Swar, president of the National Confederation of Nepal Transport Professionals, informed the government that approximately 1.3 million people have already departed the valley. This figure represents a substantial portion of the estimated 1.8 million people expected to leave Kathmandu for Dashain celebrations.
“We anticipated that between 1.5 and 1.8 million people would leave the valley this year,” Swar stated. “However, the road blockages caused by floods and landslides in different parts of the country have forced 1.3 million people to leave earlier than planned.”
Last year, a total of 1.8 million people left Kathmandu during the Dashain festival. The current situation, with landslides hindering travel, has significantly accelerated the departure of residents.