The government is working to bring back Nepali citizens stranded in the Tibetan town of Kerung near the Nepal-China border following the July 8 flood and landslides that severed the cross-border link at Rasuwagadhi.

At least nine people were killed while 19 others remain missing in the July 8 Bhotekoshi flood triggered by a sudden burst of previously unnoticed supraglacial lake in Tibet above Rasuwagadhi. Scores of Nepalis working on hydropower projects near the Nepal-China border are now living safely in Kerung with the support of local Chinese authorities.

According to Laxmi Niraula, Nepal’s consul general in Lhasa, as many as 91 Nepali citizens, mostly workers and traders, were rescued and are being cared for by local Chinese authorities.

“The Chinese authorities have started allowing those affected from the recent floods to resume work as the situation gets back to normal. And they have also initiated the process of sending back stranded Nepalis, as well as those who wish to return. While some have entry passes to enter Chinese territory, some do not,” said Niraula.

As the central government’s approval is required, the provincial Tibetan (Xizang) government has sent to Beijing the list of Nepalis who wish to return to Nepal, for approval, he told the Post from Lhasa.

Another list of 130 Nepalis, who were working or engaged in business in the Kerung area and want to return to Nepal has also been included in the list. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken up the matter with the Chinese side to ensure their early return. The Chinese side has provided food and accommodation to the Nepalis stranded in Kerung. Among them are 91 individuals, including freight truck drivers and their assistants.

Additionally, 117 people who were working in the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung area have also reportedly requested the Rasuwa district administration to make arrangements for their return home, said Arjun Poudel, chief district officer, Rasuwa.

“So far, the 91 stranded individuals and another 117 engaged in various business and jobs in Kerung, have asked us to make arrangements for their return. They will be coming back via Tatopani border point, and we have already informed the chief district officer of Sindhupalchok to receive them at the border point,” said Poudel.

The July 8 floods and landslides completely cut off the cross-border link between Nepal and China via Rasuwagadhi. The floods destroyed the Nepal-China Friendship Bridge, and blocked a 16-kilometer stretch of the Rasuwagadhi–Syaphrubesi road. Around 100 vehicles were swept away from the dry port at Timure, three hydropower projects in the area, and the customs area.

On Thursday, an understanding was reached to construct a Bailey bridge at the site of the Mitre Pul. After the flooding, the Nepal government had requested the Chinese side to rebuild the bridge after bilateral trade came to a complete halt.

“We had asked the Chinese side for the early reconstruction of the bridge as our export and import from this trading point has been halted ahead of the major festive season [Dashain and Tihar],” said Keshav Kumar Sharma, secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transportation.

On Thursday, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Cheng Song held talks with Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transportation Devendra Dahal and assured him that China would build a Bailey bridge at the site of the old one.

“The ambassador told us that the Bailey bridge will be completed ahead of the Dashain festival [the 15-day festival starts on September 22],” Dahal said.

From China, Nepali businesses import huge quantities of goods, mostly garments, fabrics, electronics, machinery, textiles, construction materials, readymade garments, and various food products like garlic and apples.

The Rasuwagadhi border point, a key trading point between Nepal and China, suffered severe damage in the July 8 flooding and a 120-meter stretch of road also collapsed at Lingling of Rasuwa.

The flooded Bhotekoshi river, which had flowed directly into the hillside, has been diverted, and efforts are underway to cut into the hill slope and open passage for road. Repairs have been completed on other damaged sections of the road, officials from the Department of Roads say, and only the part at Lingling remains to be opened. Once the passage is open, small vehicles will be allowed to operate immediately, and further repairs will make it suitable for large vehicles as well, officials said.

Repair work on the Syaphrubesi–Rasuwagadhi road has reached its final stage. The Department of Roads says work is underway to reopen the road by Friday.

After Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli returned to Kathmandu following his inspection of the flood-affected areas in Rasuwagadhi, the government decided to request China to reconstruct the bridge.

The Chinese have already mobilised a technical team for the construction of a Bailey bridge to resume temporary transport, said Niraula. The bridge will come into operation before Dasain, he added.