KATHMANDU, Oct. 12 -- The Mechi Highway remains blocked after the massive landslide triggered by heavy rainfall on October 4. Traffic has been completely halted along the Ilam-Rajduwali section in Ilam Municipality-9 after a large landslide buried the road.

Despite weeklong efforts by the Ilam Road Division, locals, and security personnel, the route has yet to reopen. Road Division Chief Pawan Bhattarai said technical teams and locals are working continuously, but the landslide's scale has made clearance difficult. "We are working day and night, but an entire hill has collapsed," he said. Three excavators have been deployed to remove debris.

Assistant Chief District Officer Bhola Nath Guragain said the road remains closed for public saf...