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July 11, 2016
Efforts by China and Nepal to step up border trade to reduce reliance on supplies from India to the Himalayan country suffered a setback as floods and landslides damaged the border point between the two countries.Opening of Zhangmu-Tatopani border point between China and Nepal could be further delayed due to swollen Bhotekoshi River and landslides triggered by rainfalls, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Nepali officials as saying.The border point, located on a main trade route between the two countries, has remained closed since the deadly earthquake last year.As the two countries have been making efforts to reopen the border point at an early date, the swollen river and several landslides damaged the road and other infrastructure facilities in the border area.This could dash any hope of early reopening of the border point, Nepali officials said.The area around the border point has been very risky as there were several landslides and the Bhotekoshi River has been eroding nearby soil severely, the officials said.The flooded Bhotekoshi has already swept away 45 houses in the area and 150 others are at high risk, they added.China has stepped up efforts to establish rail and road links with Nepal to supply commodities and petroleum products to reduce landlocked Kathmandu’s dependence on supplies from India. — PTI
