Kerung, Tatopani and Korala all closed, land trade with China halted

Overland trade with China to the north has come to a standstill as all three major border points — Kerung, Tatopani and Korala — remain closed due to rain, floods, landslides and snowfall.

The Rasuwagadhi-Kerung crossing has been closed since floods on Bhadra 10. At Tatopani in Sindhupalchok, floods and landslides have damaged the road and bridge leading to the border, and reluctance on the Chinese side has also kept the point from reopening.

In Mustang, continuous rain and snowfall since Saturday night have completely blocked the road from Kabrebhir to Korala. More than a foot of snow has accumulated in the Korala pass area, and over 200 containers are stuck at the customs yard. Many containers carrying clothes, shoes, electronic goods, decorative lights and fruits meant for Dashain, Tihar and Chhath are stranded across the border and along the route.

During Monday's House of Representatives meeting, CPN-UML lawmaker Dr Arjun Karki demanded that customs and immigration offices be set up and made operational at the Kimathanka border point. He said experts consider Kimathanka the shortest and safest route connecting to China, and urged the government to speed up construction of the Khandbari-Kimathanka road. Only a track has been opened so far along the roughly 162-kilometer stretch.

RSP lawmaker Bharat Parajuli said the government should immediately launch diplomatic efforts to reopen the Tatopani crossing. According to him, thousands of containers diverted toward Korala are stranded, while access to Tatopani is currently easier.