A landslide that struck Ikhu area of Bhotekoshi-2 in Sindhupalchok early Thursday morning has completely blocked the Araniko Highway, a key road connecting Nepal to China.
According to District Police Chief Rameshwar Karki, the landslide occurred around 5:00 AM near Kodari, severely damaging both the upper and lower parts of the road.
“The road has collapsed from below and is covered by debris from above. Without a retaining wall to support the structure, reopening the highway is difficult,” Karki said. He added that coordination is underway with the Department of Roads to begin clearance work.
Goods containers and vehicles stranded at border
Due to the road closure, freight trucks and containers heading toward Kathmandu through the Tatopani customs point have been stopped at the border area. Passenger buses, ambulances, and smaller vehicles are also stranded.
Just a day earlier, tourists who had been stranded at the Kerung border were rerouted to Kathmandu via the Kodari route, as Kerung was damaged by a flood coming from China.
Cross-border road contact with China disrupted
Now, with both the Kerung and Kodari-Tatopani roads damaged, road connectivity with China has been completely cut off, officials confirmed.
Police chief Karki reported that 126 tourists entered Nepal through the Kodari checkpoint after the Kerung route was blocked. Of them, 72 were flown to Kathmandu by helicopter, while 64 were transported by bus.
