ZCZC
BCN-15
NEPAL-CHINA-INLAND-TRADE
Nepal-China inland trade halted after flood damages bridge near border
KATHMANDU, July 30 (Xinhua) — The Nepal-China trade through Rasuwagadhi-
Kerung (Geelong) border point has been suspended since Friday after a rain-
induced flood damaged a bridge over a stream close to Nepal-China border,
local officials said.
It is the only operating trade route between the two neighbors as another
Tatopani-Khasa (Zhangmu) route in Sindhupalchowk district has remained closed
since the deadly earthquake in April 2015, Krishna Poudel, chief district
officer of Rasuwa, told Xinhua on Sunday.
About 200 trucks carrying goods from China and those heading to border
areas to receive goods have remained stranded following the bridge was
damaged, said the official.
“We halted the movement of large vehicles from Friday and halted all types
of vehicles since Saturday after the flood damaged one of the pillars of the
bridge,” he said.
According to Poudel, a technical team from the Department of Road assessed
the status of the bridge on Sunday, saying a minor damage to the pillar was
spotted and it could be renovated within a week.
“Until then, there can be no movement of vehicles on the bridge and there
is no suitable area to build temporary bridge too,” he said.
Nepali officials said that the bridge must be rebuilt soon as the time has
come for Nepali traders to import goods in large scale targeting the upcoming
Dashain and Tihar festivals, two of the biggest festivals celebrated in the
Himalayan country in October-November period.
Nepal-China border area has been seeing massive and minor landslides in
recent days due to incessant rainfalls.
On July 26, a rain-induced landslide killed nine people while injuring 12
around the same area.
BSS/XINHUA/HR/1132