Impact of September 2024 Floods on the Kathmandu to Ramechhap Route
The 65-year record-breaker rainfall in Nepal during the last week of September 2024 has led to significant loss of life, property, and hope in the country, especially in the Bagmati province. As a result, the Himalaya trekking trail, particularly in the Everest region, has been seriously impacted by ponderous floods and landslides. From the last 4-5 years, flights to Lukla shifted to Ramechhap due to the air traffic at Kathmandu International Airport. The damage to the road connecting Ramechhap Manthali Airport with Kathmandu has also caused damage, and currently, there are no alternative routes available to access Manthali airport.
Before these landslides, the drive from Kathmandu to Manthali Airport of Ramechhap District normally takes about 4 hours, allowing for early morning departures possible even from Kathmandu.
The damaged road sections and bridges, mentioned and repairs are not expected to be completed sooner, even though they started already. This situation of no road access has badly affected to the tourism sector, of Everest Base Camp trekking and travelers returning home to celebrate the Dashain and Tihar festivals. To assist those un-skippable travel plans, Trekking Trail Nepal is helping to explore alternative routes to reach Manthali.
While the floods of 2024 have indirectly impacted the tourism sector, reconstruction efforts for trekking routes in Nepal are progressing daily.
Kathmandu to Ramechhap Manthali Airport. As of October 2024, the following route is recommended:
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Via Koteshower, Bhaktapur, Dhulikhel.
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Sunkoshi Bridge of Dolalghat
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Sunkoshi Bridge of Dolalghat
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Khadichour crossing Bandev, Sukute Valley and Sunkoshi Municipality
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The Winding Uphill Road, we called 18 Ghumti Road, regarded as the most time consuming road section.
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Tamakoshi Bridge crossing Lakuridanda, Makaibari, Bhimeshowor Municapility.
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This is the road section of Lamosangu Ramechhap Road
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Rammechhap Manthali Airport
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Where you can take a flight to Lukla for Everest Trekking.
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Flight to Lukla from Manthali Airport: Once at Ramechhap Airport, you can get to the Lukla Airport with an 18-minute short flight. Originally, Tenzing Hillary Airport is the starting point of the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Reason for Rain and Blue Sky
The reason of devastation floods is the rear mix of monsoon clouds entering from eastern side, Bay of Bengal and Western Mediterranean Sea. The Department of Hydrology and Metrology warns the public as well as the department of the high impact.
As the rain stops, visibility gets better, with a rise in temperatures. White mountains are brighter with glittering snow and blue skies add the contract to the trekking areas. For the next few days some local areas have a chance of little rain, but major trekking destinations of Annapurna and Manaslu like the Short ABC Trek, Manaslu Base Camp Trek, Upper Mustang Trek, Short Poon Hill Trek, and one others.
Best Time to Explore: October and November
Thousands of trekkers already head for the Himalayas mountain adventure for the best season. As the monsoon season ends and we enter October and November, which are considered the best months for Nepal Trekking. During these months, hikers can enjoy the breathtaking mountains, nature, and landscape with festival vibes. You can proceed with your pre booked Trekking in Nepal with full of confidence.
Janakpur-Lukla: The Unsuccessful Alternative boosting Annapurna and Manaslu
After the discontinuation of road links between Manthali Airport of Ramechhap and the tourist hub of Kathmandu, airlines and trekking companies looked for alternative options for Manthali Airport for Lukla Flight. They comes with Janakpur airport, as hub for Everest connection. However, these options proved to be unsuccessful alternatives, as the results showed lots of Everest Base Camp Trek and Ama Dablam Base Camps we canceled and diverted to Annapurna and Manaslu Region.
On the first day of operations, Tara Air subsidiary of Yeti Air successfully transported passengers on two 72-seater flights to Janakpur, followed by seven 15-seater flights to Lukla. However, there is 2 times of air traffic at Kathmandu and Janakpur and Janakpur and Lukla. Even there are 3 different climatic zones: lowland, midhilly range and Mountainous of Lukla. In addition to this, there is waste of 1 day as well 135 USD extra fees for one way, which makes the Janakpur Lukla flight option an unsuccessful alternative to Manthali Lukla.
Need Jeep to Reach Manthali Airport: Please Contact Us.
In Conclusion: Impact of September 2024 Floods on the Kathmandu to Ramechhap Route
An alternative route from Kathmandu to Ramechhap has been figured out with motive to facilitate flights to Lukla from Manthali Airport. All Everest Hikers can now easily undertake the Everest Region after the devastating landslide and floods of 2024, September. On the other hand, roads connecting various trekking trails and for trailheads have been renovating and are operating as per local authorities, ensuring a smoother adventure experience of trekking holidays in Nepal.
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