RASUWA: A year after after a devastating flood from the Lhende Khola ravaged the Rasuwagadhi customs yard, one of Nepal’s key trade gateways with China, the facility has yet to be fully restored despite the resumption of cross-border trade.
Although import and export activities have resumed, the customs yard, the under-construction Integrated Check Post (ICP), and nearby infrastructure still bear visible signs of the destruction caused by the flood.
The Rasuwa Customs Office had established the new customs yard a few years ago to manage rising imports from China. The facility was designed to accommodate hundreds of cargo containers and a large number of electric vehicles (EVs), particularly for customs clearance of EVs, ready-made garments, electronics and fruits.
However, the massive flood that struck on July 8, 2024, swept away parts of the customs yard, the under-construction Integrated Check Post, embankments and the Nepal-China Friendship Bridge. The disaster also destroyed goods worth millions of rupees and claimed human lives.
According to Rasuwa Customs Officer Prem Subedi, customs staff, security personnel and truck drivers risked their lives on the night of the flood to move vehicles carrying customs-cleared goods to safer locations.
“We heard a loud roar as the flood approached. Customs officials and security personnel rushed to move trucks carrying goods worth millions of rupees to higher ground. We managed to save some vehicles, but others, along with drivers and helpers, were swept away. Goods worth millions and several structures, including the embankment and Friendship Bridge, were also destroyed,” Subedi said.
Trade resumed after a temporary Friendship Bridge was rebuilt in Mangsir (November/December), but the customs yard remains vulnerable. Large boulders brought by the flood, damaged infrastructure and temporary arrangements continue to affect operations.
The customs office said the Rasuwagadhi border mainly handles imports of ready-made garments, electrical and electronic goods, apples, oranges, grapes, dry fruits, dragon fruit and electric vehicles. Imports of industrial raw materials and chemicals through the border remain minimal.
Subedi said only electric vehicles enter Nepal through the checkpoint, while petrol and diesel vehicles are not imported via Rasuwagadhi.
He added that China also exports seasonal products based on Nepal’s market demand, including sports goods during major football tournaments, decorative lights and lamps during Tihar, and colours for Holi.
The delay in rebuilding the customs yard has also created difficulties in managing the growing number of imported EVs. With limited flat land available, vehicles are being parked along roadsides and on rented private land.
“There are steep hills on both sides and very little level ground. We have to keep EVs on narrow roadside spaces and rented land owned by locals. The risk of falling rocks is always there,” Subedi said.
The customs office said it is coordinating with the Chinese construction team to build temporary embankments to reduce the risk of future floods.
According to the office, the China-funded construction of the 14-kilometre Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road has significantly improved landslide management, as construction crews quickly clear debris and repair damaged sections.
Despite these improvements, the area’s difficult geography continues to pose major challenges. Landslides, floods and falling rocks frequently disrupt transportation during the monsoon, while snowfall affects movement in winter.
To minimise risks, the customs office has prohibited the movement of cargo vehicles after 7 pm. Trucks are allowed to operate only after 6 am, while employees have also been advised to avoid travelling towards Kathmandu at night.
Although Rasuwagadhi remains Nepal’s principal trade gateway with China, inadequate infrastructure and recurring natural disasters continue to hamper operations. One year after the devastating flood, the customs yard is still awaiting full reconstruction, forcing trade to continue under challenging and risky conditions.
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