Panchthar, July 31 -- Floods have washed away key makeshift crossings over rivers across Panchthar, a hill district of Koshi province, severing transport links and forcing vehicles to cross rivers directly, often by driving through the water.

Since early June, vehicular movement has been halted along Phidim-Hilihang road section of the Tamor Corridor after the diversion over the Hewa river was swept away. Similarly, the road connecting Phidim to Phalaute near the Nepal-India border through Nagin, Yangnam and Sidin Prangbung has remained blocked since July second week after the floods swept away diversion at Muwa stream.

The Mechi Highway, a critical lifeline linking the hill districts to Jhapa in the southern plains, has also been cripp...