Tatopani Border Crossing Closed Again Due to Landslide

Nepal’s Tatopani border crossing with China has been closed again, just a day after it reopened following a three-day closure. The crossing was reopened on Thursday evening after a one-way operation, but it was closed again on Friday morning due to a landslide caused by heavy rainfall.

The landslide, which occurred in the Eko area, has damaged the road, making it impassable for vehicles. According to the local administration, the road was damaged after a stream overflowed onto the road, causing it to collapse.

Recurring Problem

This is not the first time that the Tatopani border crossing has been closed due to landslides. The area is prone to landslides, especially during the monsoon season. Last year, the crossing was closed for several days due to a landslide that occurred in the same area.

The road division office in Charikot had carried out repairs on the road and reopened it on Thursday evening, allowing 35 containers to cross the border. However, the road was closed again on Friday morning after the landslide occurred.

Monsoon Season

This year’s monsoon season has been delayed, but the recent rainfall has caused problems in the Liping area, including landslides and flooding. The Eko area is particularly prone to landslides, and the road is often closed during the monsoon season.

According to Field Engineer Surendra Singh of the Road Division Office in Charikot, the area is prone to landslides due to the heavy rainfall and the Bhote Koshi River’s erosion. A long-term plan to control the landslide has been proposed, but it will not be implemented until after the monsoon season.

The Nepal and Chinese governments have signed a two-phase agreement to implement the plan, and the implementation agreement is currently pending. A Chinese construction company is expected to arrive in Tatopani after the monsoon season to start work on the landslide control project.

In the meantime, several containers carrying goods, including garlic, potatoes, fruits, and vegetables, as well as equipment for various hydroelectric projects, have been stranded due to the road closure. The closure has also caused additional costs for transporters.

Locals have reported that the Bhote Koshi River has also eroded the Tatopani customs yard, causing further problems in the area.