Nepal, Oct. 13 -- More than 109,000 people have left the Kathmandu Valley so far to celebrate Dashain with their families, as the number of people returning to their hometowns continues to rise ahead of the major Hindu festival.

According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, 109,636 people left the valley in 17,139 vehicles between Ghatasthapana and Tuesday.

As Dashain approaches, people who live in the valley for education, employment and business are returning to their hometowns, increasing passenger traffic at major exit points.

Senior Superintendent of Police Suresh Prasad Kafle, chief of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, said the departing passengers included 41,946 women and 67,690 men. He added that passenge...