KATHMANDU: Heavy floods have caused significant damage to multiple bridges along the Araniko Highway, which connects Nepal to China via the Tatopani border crossing. The floods have disrupted the route from the Nepal side, effectively blocking access to the Tatopani border.
Kumar Shrestha, Ward Chairperson of Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality-2 in Sindhupalchok, reported that the Bailey Bridge in Larcha has been swept away by the floods. Similarly, another Bailey Bridge connecting 10 Kilo to Pangsirpu has been washed away. Additionally, the bridge at Liping, crucial for accessing the Tatopani border, has also collapsed.
As a result, containers carrying goods imported from China for the upcoming Dashain festival are now stranded at the border. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, but the disruption is expected to impact trade and supply chains between Nepal and China during the festive season. Further updates are awaited.