Delhi-Kathmandu Indo-Nepal Maitri Bus Sewa Suspended Due to Flash Floods in Nepal
The Delhi government has temporarily suspended the Indo-Nepal Maitri Bus Sewa for two days following severe flash floods in Nepal that completely shut down road connectivity along the Delhi-Kathmandu route.
According to an official order, road transportation on the National Highway along the Delhi-Kathmandu route in Nepal has been rendered impassable. As a preventive measure to safeguard passengers, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) put its scheduled August 28 services between Delhi and Kathmandu on hold in both directions. A scheduled trip by a Nepali bus on August 29 has also been held up.
The Delhi government introduced the Delhi-Kathmandu-Delhi international bus service in 2014. Under normal operations, the buses depart from Delhi at 10 am, travel through Uttar Pradesh, and cross the international border into Nepal via the Sonauli check-post near Gorakhpur.
The decision to halt the cross-border service comes amid a worsening flood emergency in Nepal. Figures from Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) indicate that the death toll from the flash floods has reached 359, while 910 people remain missing or out of contact across eight districts.
Chitwan has recorded the highest number of fatalities at 132, followed by Nawalparasi East with 82, Dhading with 33, Gorkha with 30, Nuwakot with 28, Tanahun with 22, Rasuwa with 17, and Nawalparasi West with 15 deaths. At least 73 people have sustained injuries.
The disaster has severely impacted infrastructure and led to the deployment of over 13,000 security personnel for search, rescue, and relief operations. In addition, authorities have warned of fresh flood risks along the Bhotekoshi River system following an upstream river obstruction and lake formation near the Nepal-China border in the Rasuwagadhi area.
Transport officials noted that the suspension of the bus service from Delhi is intended to protect commuters from being stranded or exposed to hazardous conditions while road restoration and rescue operations continue in the neighbouring country.
