CHAUTARA, Jan 12: The Nepal-China northern trade border at Tatopani has been completely closed after a massive fire broke out in the border forest of China’s Nyalam-Khasa area.
The Chinese authorities have suspended all movement through the crossing, citing heightened security risks. The closure follows a fire that erupted Sunday night in the Chhobin area, which includes the central parts of Nyalam and Khasa, and has not yet been brought under control, said Police Inspector Jagat Bahadur Rai of the Area Police Office in Kodari.
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Rai added that the fire has halted local and tourist movement, as well as the passage of goods vehicles. Smoke and ash from the blaze are covering the skies of Liping, Tatopani, and surrounding areas, disrupting communication and network services in the border region.
After the Rasuwa border crossing was closed last year due to floods, Tatopani became the primary route for trade with China. The current closure has halted containers carrying imported goods worth crores.
Arjun Sapkota, President of the Nepal Truck Container Workers’ Association, said that businessmen and importers are facing mounting difficulties as there is no clarity on when the border crossing will reopen.
