Monsoon landslides kill two, block Nepal-China border crossing

Heavy monsoon rains have caused deadly landslides across Nepal, resulting in two fatalities and one injury. The inclement weather also disrupted traffic along the crucial Nepal-China border, forcing the closure of the Tatopani crossing on Monday.

In Dolakha, a four-month-old infant died and her mother sustained serious injuries when a landslide struck them as they returned home. The infant died en route to the hospital, while the mother was referred to Kathmandu for further treatment.

Separately, in Jajarkot, a 60-year-old woman died after a landslide buried a temporary shelter. Her daughter and granddaughter were rescued by residents.

The Kodari Highway, a vital route for cross-border trade with China, experienced a significant subsidence at the Eco section in Sindhupalchok due to continuous rainfall. This has halted vehicular movement and left dozens of cargo containers stranded on the Chinese side after customs clearance. The road had previously been affected by a landslide on Sunday.

Local authorities are coordinating efforts to clear the highway, but persistent rain and the recurring issue of road subsidence at the Eco section, which has frequently disrupted traffic during monsoon seasons, pose significant challenges.

“

The Eco section has repeatedly suffered road subsidence during the monsoon in recent years, frequently disrupting traffic on the Kodari Highway and operations at the Tatopani border crossing.