China Suspends Imports and Exports Through Tatopani Border Point Over Landslide Risk

Dragon Media Correspondent

China has suspended import and export operations through Tatopani, one of the major Nepal–China trade crossings, until further notice due to the continuing risk of landslides in the Liping area on the Nepali side.

According to Laxmi Niraula, Nepal’s Consul General in Lhasa, regular commercial operations through the Tatopani crossing are unlikely to resume until the landslide-prone area becomes stable. Passenger movement, however, is expected to remain open.

The closure comes at a particularly difficult time for Nepal–China trade. The Rasuwagadhi–Timure route was severely damaged by the recent devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi region, increasing the importance of Tatopani as an alternative trade corridor. With Tatopani now also closed for commercial traffic, Korala remains the principal alternative overland route.

Niraula said plans are being made to reroute trucks and containers stranded in Kerung through Korala. Some Nepali nationals stranded in China’s Xizang region following the recent floods are also expected to be brought home through the Tatopani crossing.

Tatopani had previously remained fully closed for about three weeks after repeated landslides blocked the Araniko Highway. Limited transport had resumed only recently before commercial activity was halted again following the latest disaster.

The dry port at Tatopani is also reported to be operating at full capacity, with cargo vehicles and goods occupying available space. The prolonged disruption has left Nepal-bound cargo stranded at various locations in Xizang and has further affected traders and transport operators on both sides of the border.

At Rasuwagadhi, the floods caused extensive damage to customs, immigration, police and other government facilities. Officials say restoring these institutions and making the transport infrastructure fully operational could take considerable time, placing further pressure on Nepal–China overland trade.

With Dashain approaching, traders importing goods from China are becoming increasingly concerned about possible supply disruptions. If regular land transport cannot be restored, importers may have to rely more heavily on the Korala route or on sea transport via Kolkata.

The continued closure of Tatopani is also expected to affect customs revenue. Both Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi generate substantial annual revenue, and simultaneous disruptions at the two crossings could raise transport costs, lengthen delivery times and place additional pressure on domestic supply chains.

Local residents have long called for a permanent solution to recurring landslides along the approximately 26-kilometre Barhabise–Tatopani section of the Araniko Highway. The government has recently decided to accept Chinese assistance for the repair and upgrading of the highway.