Devastating flash floods in Nepal have severely damaged the historic Rasuwagadhi-Bhote Koshi Valley trade corridor. The route has connected Nepal and China for more than 260 years and played a major role in cross-border commerce. The floods also destroyed the Miteri Sanghu, or Friendship Bridge, cutting an important physical link between the two countries. The disaster has disrupted a key Himalayan trade gateway and exposed the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather.
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A Historic Route With Strategic Importance
The Rasuwagadhi corridor supported trade long before modern roads and highways existed. Mule caravans carried rice and other grains from Nepal towards Gyirong, where traders exchanged them for Tibetan salt and wool. Newar merchants also established trading communities in Tibetan towns, strengthening commercial and cultural ties. The route later gained strategic importance when Nepal used it during military campaigns towards Tibet. The historic Rasuwagadhi fort further reflected the area’s importance in Nepal’s trade and security history.
In recent years, Rasuwagadhi has become a major entry point for Chinese consumer goods entering Nepal. The crossing handles electronics, clothing, footwear and electric vehicles, with the growing EV market adding to its commercial importance. According to Rasuwa Customs figures cited in the report, more than 6,500 Chinese electric cars, jeeps, vans and minibuses entered Nepal through Rasuwagadhi during 2025-26. The heavy movement of vehicles and cargo has made the border area an important economic hub.
Flood Destroys Friendship Bridge, Disrupts Trade
The latest flash flood caused extensive destruction along the trade corridor and swept away hundreds of 40-foot shipping containers parked near the Timure riverbanks. The containers crashed into bridge pillars, road embankments and power transmission structures, increasing the scale of the damage. The disaster also destroyed the Miteri Sanghu Bridge over the Lhende, or Koshi, River. Floodwaters washed away the bridge’s supporting structures within seconds, despite its reconstruction after the 2015 earthquake and repairs following the 2025 flood.
The destruction has now interrupted a centuries-old trade connection between Nepal and China, with possible wider implications for regional commerce, including India’s trade interests. The corridor once carried traditional goods such as salt, wool and rice, while today it supports the movement of modern consumer products and electric vehicles. Repeated floods show how natural disasters can threaten critical Himalayan infrastructure and cross-border supply chains. The latest destruction highlights the need for stronger infrastructure and disaster-resilient trade routes in the region.
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