KATHMANDU, October 7, 2026 : Nepal is holding discussions with China to resume transport and trade operations through the Tatopani border point, a key crossing linking Nepal with China’s Tibet region, after severe floods and landslides disrupted the route.
Nepal’s Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday that the government was in regular communication with Chinese authorities regarding the reopening of the important border crossing.
The government is also working to restore operations at Rasuwagadhi, another major Nepal-China transit point that has suffered extensive damage following a series of natural disasters.
Tatopani Route Remains Suspended
Tatopani, located approximately 110 kilometres northeast of Kathmandu, is an important trade and transit route between Nepal and Tibet.
The crossing has remained suspended on the Chinese side since August 26, following severe monsoon-related disruption, flash floods and continuing landslide risks along the border and connecting highways.
According to Minister Lamsal, the situation on the Nepali side has improved considerably.
He said the road infrastructure on Nepal’s side had already been reopened and that there were currently no major obstacles to operating the border point from the Nepali side.
However, Chinese authorities have yet to indicate that the crossing is ready to resume normal operations.
Nepal Says It Is Ready
Speaking before the Parliamentary Special Committee on the Impact of Climate Change in the Himalayas, Climate Justice and the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli Disaster, Lamsal said Nepal was prepared to resume operations.
The minister said Nepal remained in regular communication with Chinese officials and was working toward finding a way to reopen the border crossing safely.
The reopening is particularly important because Tatopani serves as one of Nepal’s established trade routes with Tibet and provides an important connection for the movement of goods between the two sides.
Rasuwagadhi Also Severely Damaged
The government is simultaneously working to restore the Rasuwagadhi border crossing, located in Rasuwa district north of Kathmandu.
Rasuwagadhi suffered catastrophic damage following a major high-altitude glacial collapse and rock-ice avalanche on August 26.
The disaster generated a powerful debris flood that travelled through the Lhende, Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems, causing extensive destruction.
The disaster also resulted in a very high death toll, with at least 1,455 people reported killed.
Natural Disasters Disrupt Border Connectivity
The two border points have been affected by a combination of severe weather events, floods, landslides and damage to transport infrastructure.
The disruptions have created significant challenges for Nepal’s cross-border connectivity with Tibet.
The government is now working on both immediate restoration and longer-term reconstruction of infrastructure in areas affected by the disasters.
Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi: Key Trade Links
Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi are among Nepal’s principal land-based trade and transit connections with China.
Their strategic importance extends beyond individual communities because the crossings facilitate the movement of goods and provide important transportation links between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Extended closures can therefore affect traders, transport operators, local businesses and communities dependent on cross-border economic activity.
Focus on Infrastructure Restoration
Minister Lamsal said the Nepalese government was undertaking efforts to reconstruct and restore infrastructure damaged by the recent disasters.
The authorities are also assessing the condition of roads and other transport facilities required to restore safe movement through the affected areas.
For Tatopani, the immediate issue is coordination with the Chinese side, while Rasuwagadhi presents a more extensive infrastructure-reconstruction challenge because of the scale of the damage.
Climate and Himalayan Disaster Risks
The disruption has also highlighted the vulnerability of Himalayan infrastructure to extreme natural events.
Floods, landslides, glacial events and rapid changes in mountain conditions can damage roads, bridges and border facilities, creating difficulties for communities and international trade routes.
The Nepalese parliamentary committee is examining these issues in the broader context of climate change, Himalayan risks and disaster resilience.
Talks With China Continue
For now, Nepal remains ready to reopen Tatopani from its side but is waiting for the necessary coordination and clearance from Chinese authorities.
At the same time, Kathmandu is continuing efforts to restore the heavily damaged Rasuwagadhi crossing.
The reopening of the two border points will depend on the restoration of damaged infrastructure, safety assessments and coordination between Nepalese and Chinese authorities.
The immediate priority for Nepal is to restore safe and reliable cross-border connectivity while rebuilding infrastructure damaged by the devastating August disasters.
