Kathmandu: Around 800,000 people have left Kathmandu Valley so far to return to their home districts to celebrate Dashain, Nepal’s biggest festival, according to the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE).

FNNTE estimates that approximately one million passengers will leave the Valley via road transport this year. However, the number of people exiting the Valley is lower than expected due to disruptions caused by flooding and landslides following heavy rains on September 27 and 28, said FNNTE President Bijaya Swar.

While an estimated 1.5 to 1.8 million people were initially expected to leave, the poor condition of roads has made travel difficult, prompting many residents to celebrate Dashain within Kathmandu instead. Additionally, more people have opted to travel by air to avoid road complications.

The exact number of passengers leaving Kathmandu will be clearer by Friday, as more people are expected to depart for their hometowns in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has increased road surveillance and checks to ensure road safety amidst the surge in traffic during the festival season, said Traffic Police spokesman Bishwa Raj Khadka.