KATHMANDU, Oct 20: More than 576,000 people have left Kathmandu Valley since Ghatasthapana to celebrate Dashain in their hometowns, according to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office.
A total of 576,578 people had left the Valley in 79,676 vehicles as of Monday, said Senior Superintendent of Police Suresh Prasad Kafle, chief of the Valley Traffic Police.
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Of those who left, 348,823 were men and 227,755 were women.
Traffic has increased at major exit points, including Nagdhunga, Pharping, Thankot, Bhimdunga, Tinpiple and Sankhu, as people living in the capital for education, employment and business return home for the festival.
Kafle said traffic police personnel had been deployed around the clock to manage the festive rush, facilitate safe travel and reduce road accidents.
He urged passengers and drivers to ensure vehicles were in good condition and drivers were physically fit. He also advised drivers to avoid driving for excessively long hours, particularly on long-distance journeys.
Dashain, Nepal’s biggest festival, is marked by family reunions and travel as people return to their hometowns to celebrate with loved ones.
