China has pledged to construct a temporary bridge over the Lhende Stream at the Rasuwagadhi Customs Point, where the July 8 floods washed away the key border bridge, bringing the bilateral trade through Rasuwa customs to a complete halt.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, made the commitment during a courtesy call on Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT), Devendra Dahal, Thursday, July 17, according to the state-owned RSS news agency.
Ministry Secretary Keshab Kumar Sharma, who was present at the meeting, said the temporary bridge could be completed before the Dashain festival, which, this year, begins in the last week of September.
[Read: Rasuwa Flood Likely Triggered by Supraglacial Lake Outburst in China: DHM ]
The flash floods in the Lhende Stream—an upstream tributary of the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa—caused extensive damage to one of Nepal’s major trade corridors with China . Besides the destruction of the Nepal-China Friendship Bridge (commonly known as Miteri Bridge), the supraglacial outburst flood caused a significant damage to underconstruction dry port in Timure as well as multiple hydropower projects downstream.
(This photo combo shows the aftermath of the July 8 flooding that swept away the Nepal–China Friendship Bridge at Rasuwagadhi. Photos: RSS & PM’s Office)
Vehicles and containers parked at the dry port were swept away and an EV charging station was also hit. Sections of the Pasang Lhamu Highway developed cracks, disrupting travel between Dhunche and Timure.
The bridge had previously been rebuilt with Chinese assistance after it sustained damage during the 2015 earthquake.
Thursday’s meeting between the Nepali and Chinese sides also focused on restoring the Syaphrubesi–Rasuwagadhi road and rebuilding the Miteri Bridge, the RSS report said. The Chinese side expressed interest in repairing the damaged roadways as well.
Discussions also covered other China-supported projects, including the Tokha–Chhahare Tunnel, the Hilsa–Simkot Road, and the Khandbari–Kimathanka Road.
Ambassador Chen also informed that the second phase of the Ring Road widening project would begin soon.
Minister Dahal acknowledged China’s continued support for Nepal’s development and expressed hope for sustained cooperation in the future.
(With inputs from RSS)
