Rasuwa Customs Yard Yard Not Fully Restored One Year After Devastating Flood

Rasuwa. The yard of the Rasuwa Customs Office, devastated by a destructive flood from the Lende Khola last year, has not been fully restored even after one year. Although trade activities are ongoing, the damage from the flood is still clearly visible in the customs yard, the under-construction integrated check post (ICP), and surrounding structures.

The Rasuwa Customs Office had put a new customs yard into operation a few years ago to manage the increasing import pressure. The yard, built especially targeting the parking and clearance of goods like electric (EV) vehicles, readymade garments, electrical and electronic goods, and fruits imported from China, had the capacity to manage hundreds of cargo containers and a large number of electric vehicles at once.

However, a fierce flood from the Lende Khola on the Chinese side in Asar 2081 caused significant damage to the yard, the under-construction integrated check post (ICP), the embankment, and the Miteri bridge connecting Nepal and China. The flood washed away goods worth millions of rupees and also caused human casualties.

According to Prem Subedi, an official at the Rasuwa Customs Office, on the night the flood occurred, employees, security personnel, and drivers risked their lives to move the cargo vehicles that had come to pay revenue to a safe location.

He said, "After the flood came, a loud roar was heard. Then, all the customs employees and security personnel went down to move the vehicles carrying goods worth lakhs and crores of rupees, which had come to pay revenue, to higher ground. Some vehicles were saved, but some vehicles, drivers, and helpers were swept away in the flood. Goods worth crores were also washed away. The under-construction ICP, embankment, and Miteri bridge were also damaged by the flood."

Although import-export resumed after the Miteri bridge was temporarily reconstructed in Mangsir after the flood, the condition of the customs yard is still risky. Large stones brought by the flood, damaged structures, and temporary arrangements are visible within the yard where work is being carried out.

According to the Customs Office, goods mainly imported through the Rasuwagadhi border include readymade garments, electrical and electronic goods, apples, oranges, grapes, dry fruits, and fruits like dragon fruit. Industrial raw materials and chemical materials are imported in negligible quantities through this border.

Officer Subedi said, "Mainly readymade clothes, electric-electronic goods, fruits, and EV vehicles come here. Diesel and petrol vehicles do not come from here."

According to him, China also sends seasonal goods according to the demand of the Nepali market. He said that during the World Cup, sports goods, during Tihar, lights and diyas, and during Holi, colors and similar items are imported in large quantities.

Due to the non-reconstruction of the yard, managing the increasing EV imports has also become challenging. The Customs Office states that due to the lack of sufficient flat land, vehicles have to be parked on the roadside and on rented land from locals.

Officer Subedi says, "There are high hills on both sides, and there is no flat land in between. EV vehicles have to be parked on the narrow part of the road and on land rented from locals. The risk of stones falling from above always remains."

The Customs Office has stated that it is currently coordinating with the construction team of the Chinese government to build a temporary embankment, keeping in mind the potential risk of floods.

According to him, the 14-kilometer Syabrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road, being constructed with the grant assistance of the Chinese government, has greatly helped in landslide management.

Subedi said, "If there is a landslide anywhere, the construction company removes it immediately. If there are potholes in between, they repair them immediately. We are getting a lot of help now because the Chinese government is constructing the road."

However, geographical difficulties remain the main challenge. Movement is repeatedly affected during the rainy season due to landslides, floods, and falling stones, and during winter due to snowfall.

Keeping security in mind, the Customs Office has implemented a rule not to operate cargo vehicles after 7 PM. Vehicles are allowed to operate only after 6 AM.

According to Officer Subedi, "We have also told the employees not to travel towards Kathmandu after 7 PM. We release cleared vehicles only after 6 AM."

Although the Rasuwagadhi border is a major gateway for Nepal-China trade, operational challenges continue to mount due to floods, landslides, and limited infrastructure. One year after the damage caused by the Lende Khola flood, the customs yard has not been fully reconstructed, and trade activities are being conducted amidst risks. Prakash Chandra Timilsena / Nepal Photo Library