The Krishnabhir section of the Prithvi Highway in Dhading reopened to two-way traffic on Thursday, 18 days after torrential rain triggered flooding and landslides that caused the road to collapse.

Traffic began building up early Thursday as vehicles entered Kathmandu and headed out of the valley, following the reopening of the key road link after an 18-day closure.

Engineers cut a new track along the edge of the collapsed section and upgraded it to allow vehicles to pass in both directions. The track was opened to traffic on Thursday morning after continuous work by the Bharatpur-based Road Division, the contractor, local authorities and technical teams.

The section, a key route linking Kathmandu with the rest of the country, had been completely blocked since August 26 after the road gave way following torrential rain, flooding and landslides.

The Bharatpur-based Road Division said equipment and personnel had been deployed around the clock to reduce risks and restore the main road link to the capital.

Work will continue to improve the safety of the route, including the construction of retaining walls and drainage management, the division said.

The 18-day closure of the Nagdhunga-Muglin road section disrupted the movement of food, fuel and other essential supplies to Kathmandu and caused difficulties for travellers. The reopening is expected to ease the movement of passengers and freight and improve supplies to the capital and surrounding areas.