SINDHUPALCHOWK: The Chinese government has informed Nepal that Zhangmu port, located near Tatopani along the Nepal-China border, has been closed indefinitely amid concerns over potential disasters.
The Tatopani Customs Office received an email from the Chinese authorities informing it of the closure, according to Customs Officer Tul Bahadur Pandey. “We have received a brief email from the Chinese authorities regarding the closure of the port,” Pandey said.
According to the email, the Chinese side stated that Zhangmu port had been closed “for a while” and that Nepal would be informed separately when it is reopened. The closure is believed to have been prompted by concerns over the possibility of further river-related disasters following the recent devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River.
The Chinese side has reportedly already relocated its administrative staff to higher and safer areas.
A few days ago, China had also stopped sending cargo containers to Nepal through the port until September 3, citing construction work in Khasa. The Chinese authorities have now informed the Nepali side that cargo transportation has also been suspended.
The Tatopani border point had emerged as an alternative trading route after the Rasuwagadhi customs point was severely affected by the recent devastating flood.
The closure of Zhangmu port has further disrupted Nepal-China trade, with local businesspeople expressing concern that the suspension could affect supplies to Nepal, particularly with the major festivals of Dashain and Tihar approaching.
Trade through the Tatopani point had already remained almost completely suspended for around 40 days following landslides on the Nepali side on June 25. The landslides damaged the road at several locations along the 26-kilometre Bahrabise-Kodari section of the Araniko Highway, bringing cross-border movement of goods to an almost complete halt.
The road was temporarily reopened after the Department of Roads deployed a team to carry out repair works. Following the reopening, eight cargo containers entered Nepal through the Tatopani border point on August 28.
With the closure of Zhangmu port, cargo containers bound for Nepal are now reportedly stranded in Nyalam, Tibet. The continued disruption at both major northern border trade routes has raised concerns over the regular supply of goods from China to Nepal ahead of the festive season.
Comment