Trade via Rasuwagadhi border resumes after six-month closure

RASUWA, Dec 29: Cross-border trade through the Rasuwagadhi border point resumed on Sunday after remaining closed for six months following flood damage to the Nepal–China Friendship Bridge.

The bridge over the Bhotekoshi River, a tributary of the Trishuli River, was swept away by a flash flood triggered by a glacial lake outburst in China on July 8, disrupting bilateral trade through the key land route.

According to government officials, trucks began moving towards Kerung from the Nepali side at around 7:00 am on Sunday. Chief District Officer of Rasuwa, Rajesh Panthi, said construction of a Bailey bridge over the Lhende River (Bhotekoshi) at the Nepal–China border has been completed. He added that Chinese authorities have informed Nepal that the Rasuwagadhi checkpoint will be formally reopened from January 1, 2026.

Inspector Bikram Kunwar of the Timure border police post said Nepali truck and container drivers, along with representatives of business firms, have already departed for Kerung to bring back cargo containers stranded there since before July 8. The containers had crossed into Kerung to transport goods before floods and landslides damaged the bridge.

Chief Customs Officer Tulsi Prasad Bhattarai said the six-month closure of the trade route has resulted in a customs revenue loss of about Rs 20 billion compared to the same period last year. He said trade activities remained suspended after floods washed away the Friendship Bridge over the Lhende Khola and forced businesses to shut down from July 8.

The floods also damaged the under-construction dry port at Timure and washed away several sections of the 16-kilometre Rasuwagadhi–Syafrubesi road.

Following the disruption at Rasuwagadhi, Nepal–China land-based trade has been conducted through the Korala border point over the past few months.

Trade through the Korala checkpoint surged to Rs 11.01 billion within three months of its full operation, positioning Mustang Customs as a key gateway for Nepal–China commerce amid disruptions at other northern border points.

According to Mustang Customs Chief Ramesh Khadka, the Nepal–China Korala checkpoint, which came into full operation on September 15, recorded imports and exports worth Rs 11.01 billion by December 25. Of the total trade volume, goods worth Rs 10.83 billion were imported from China into Nepal.

Exports from Nepal, including handicrafts and other locally produced items, amounted to Rs 189.78 million, Khadka said.

Along with the Tatopani–Khasa route, the Rasuwagadhi–Kerung corridor has long served as a lifeline for Nepal–China overland trade. China facilitated the operation of the Rasuwagadhi–Kerung route mainly after the devastating 2015 earthquake.

A 17-point protocol signed between Nepal and China in March 2016 aims to facilitate bilateral trade through six border points: Tatopani, Kerung, Kimanthanka, Korala, Yari and Olangchungola. Of these, Kimanthanka, Yari and Olangchungola have yet to be operationalised for commercial trade.