Trade disrupted at northern crossings: over 500 containers stranded at Korala, diplomatic push to reopen Tatopani

Due to bad weather, more than 500 containers are stuck awaiting customs clearance and transport at the Korala border point on the Nepal-China border in Mustang.

The containers had reached the border after Dashain to bring in Chinese goods via the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road. Korala border point sits at an elevation of 4,610 meters above sea level.

Moderate rain has been falling continuously in Mustang since midnight Thursday. Citing the risk of snowfall, storms and snow avalanches, Lo-Manthang Rural Municipality has issued a notice since Thursday barring vehicle movement in and around Korala and advising tourists and the general public not to travel there.

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the effect of the remnants of Cyclone Arnab and the westerly wind will gradually decrease from tomorrow afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has intensified diplomatic efforts to bring the Tatopani border point in Sindhupalchok, which has been obstructed since the Bhadra 10 floods, back into regular operation.

According to ministry spokesperson Lokbahadur Poudel Chhetri, an inter-ministerial meeting was held in the presence of Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, which discussed the damage caused to the Rasuwagadhi border point by the Bhotekoshi floods and its reconstruction. The Tatopani border point was opened for three days during Dashain for large cargo vehicles.