Nepal-China border point opening delayed by floods

Opening Zhangmu-Tatopani border point between China and Nepal could be further delayed due to swollen Bhotekoshi river and landslides triggered by rainfalls, a Nepali official said on Monday.

The border point, located on a main trade route between the two countries, has remained closed since the deadly earthquake on April 25 last year that left more than 8,000 people dead, Xinhua news agency reported.

As the two countries have been making efforts to reopen the border point at an early date, the swollen river and several landslides damaged the road and other infrastructure facilities in the border area, the official said.

This could dash any hope of early reopening of the border point, he said.

The area around the border point has been very risky as there were several landslides and the Bhotekoshi river has been eroding nearby soil severely.

The flood in Bhotekoshi has already swept away 45 houses in the area and 150 others are in high risk, he added.

--IANS

py/vt