KATHMANDU, Aug 8: The Miteri Bridge at the Rasuwa border point, which was swept away by a flash flood in the Lhende stream in early July, is expected to be fully reconstructed by mid-September. According to officials, construction on the bridge is progressing rapidly on the Chinese side, with completion targeted within a month.
Flooding had severely damaged infrastructure on both sides of the border, including the roads in Nepal and China, the Miteri Bridge, and Nepal’s dry port facility, halting all cross-border movement through the checkpoint. Last fiscal year alone, goods worth Rs 82 billion were imported and exports worth Rs 2 billion passed through this vital trade route, which contributes nearly 4% to Nepal’s total imports.
To restore the route, the Chinese side has started constructing a Bailey bridge, while road repairs are ongoing on the Nepali side.
Import of Chinese apples through Rasuwagadhi border point down
The Kerung (Rasuwa) border crossing, which frequently faces operational halts for various reasons, was closed this time due to a natural disaster. Containers that had already reached the Chinese side and were ready to enter Nepal remained stranded after the bridge collapsed. However, due to the urgency of importing goods for upcoming festivals such as Dashain and Tihar, many traders rerouted these containers through the Tatopani border point.
With the festival season approaching, increased imports from China have created pressure at the Tatopani checkpoint. However, if the Rasuwa checkpoint can resume operations soon, it would ease congestion significantly.
The devastating flood not only washed away the Miteri Bridge but also destroyed Nepal’s dry port facility near the Rasuwa border. Several containers with goods worth millions were lost, along with the port infrastructure. The Chinese side has recommended that the dry port be relocated to a safer location, citing risks of frequent flooding and landslides in the current area.
According to the Intermodal Transport Development Board, it has started looking for a new site for dry port construction based on China’s recommendation. “The Chinese side advised that the current site is not suitable for long-term operations,” the board said. “In response, we’ve formed a working group and begun the process of identifying a new, safer location.”
The Rasuwa border point plays a critical role in Nepal’s trade, serving as an entry point for hydroelectric equipment, ready-made garments, raw textile materials, vehicles, and agricultural products like walnuts, garlic, and apples. Imports of electronic goods and dry fruits surge significantly during festive seasons.
However, the flood caused damage beyond the bridge, destroying approximately 1.2 kilometres of road and damaging infrastructure in ten different areas. Containers prepared for both import and export suffered massive losses. Goods such as raw materials for clothing and footwear, many of which were intended for Dashain sales, were destroyed, resulting in losses amounting to millions of rupees.