The ‘Eco Landslide’ section of the Bahrabise–Kodari highway has been closed again after a landslide, just three weeks after reopening. Although the Tatopani–Kodari section resumed operation on Thursday, it gradually began sinking, forcing authorities to shut it down once more.
With the road closure, cargo containers carrying goods imported from China and other vehicles have been stranded. The ‘Eco Landslide’ section at Kodari had started sinking on Monday, and even light rainfall has been enough to trigger further sinking, halting the movement of freight containers and vehicles. Continuous landslides from above and the flow of the Bhotekoshi River below have worsened the road collapse.
According to Amit Shrestha, Chief of the Road Division Office in Charikot, the road has sunk by more than 15 meters and repair work is ongoing. Although there has been no heavy rainfall in the past two days, Inspector Jagat Bahadur Rai of the Larcha Area Police Office stated that even minor rain has caused further sinking and landslides, leading to traffic suspension. More than 30 cargo containers from China bound for Tatopani Customs are currently stuck at Miteri Bridge and Liping.
Despite ongoing efforts by the Sindhupalchok Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Road Division Office Charikot, Nepal Himalaya Trans-border Trade Association, Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality, and other trade groups to clear the Eco Landslide, the situation worsened from Monday. As a result, over a thousand containers are now stranded across Liping, Miteri Bridge, Ramite Bazaar, Khasa, and Nyalam in the Chinese territory, according to Tatopani Customs Officer and Information Officer Surya Prasad Kafle.
Following the closure, goods such as fruits and spices are being transported manually by porters. However, traders have reported heavy losses, as apples, mangoes, grapes, kiwis, pears, garlic, and onions inside containers have started rotting, said trader Sharad Prasad Parajuli.
The Eco Landslide area is located just below densely populated settlements, including Chauki Danda, Gumba Danda, Milan Bazaar, Lalbir Chowk, Kodari Gumba, Kudung Village, Takpasa, Tartrung Village, Kyusa, Chermang Village, and Damar Tamang Gumba in Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality–2. More than 100 houses are at risk in this area.
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