China closes Zhangmu port on Nepal-China border indefinitely

SINDHUPALCHOK: China has closed the Zhangmu port on Nepal-China border indefinitely because of disaster risks, Nepali officials confirmed today.

Cargo transport has been suspended entirely, extending an earlier pause on container movement that had been scheduled to run until September 3 for construction work in Khasa, officials said. Freight containers destined for Nepal are currently stranded in Nyalam County in Tibet, and local business groups warn the stoppage will likely disrupt commercial supplies across Nepal with the Dashain and Tihar festivals approaching.

Tul Bahadur Pandey, a customs officer at Tatopani Customs Office, said the Nepali side received written notification from Chinese authorities by email. "We have received a brief email from the Chinese authorities regarding the closure of the port," Pandey said. He added that the communication stated, "We have shut the Zhangmu port for a while; we will inform you in another email when we will reopen it."

The decision follows heavy flooding in Bhotekoshi River, which raised fears of river-based disasters. Administrative staff on the Chinese side have reportedly moved to higher ground for safety.

The closure deals a significant blow to bilateral trade. Tatopani had served as a primary alternative route after severe flood damage at Rasuwagadhi customs point. Trade through the Tatopani crossing had only just restarted on August 28, when eight containers entered Nepal after a 40-day disruption caused by landslides on June 25. Those landslides damaged several sections of the 26-kilometre stretch between Bahrabise and Kodari on the Araniko Highway, requiring extensive road repairs before traffic could resume.

(With inputs from RSS)