Flood Impact on Nepal-Tibet Border: Nepali Nationals Stranded in Kerung Begin Returning via Tatopani, 800 Registered for Repatriation
Image source: Xinhua/RSS
Following the devastating flood at Rasuwagadhi, the Nepali Embassy in Lhasa has reported that 114 Nepali nationals stranded in Kerung, Tibet, have started returning to Nepal from Thursday onward.
Most Nepalis who had traveled to Tibet for the Mansarovar pilgrimage and trade on visas have already returned home, according to Embassy Trade Representative Laxmi Prasad Niraula. However, those who had obtained temporary passes to reach Kerung are now beginning their return journey.
Nepalese workers who cross the Rasuwagadhi border to Kerung for carrying goods, loading and unloading, or working in hotels and restaurants can do so without a visa.
“Today, the first group has departed from here and are expected to reach Kathmandu by evening. We will continue sending more,” Niraula said by phone from Lhasa.
Nepalis with temporary passes had been stranded in Kerung after both the Rasuwagadhi border and Pasang Lhamu Highway were washed away by floods.
Facilitation by the Chinese Government
Image source: Reuters
According to Trade Representative Niraula, the Chinese government has facilitated transportation of Nepalis to the Tatopani border in Sindhupalchok.
Nepalis with temporary permits who work or shop around Tibet are allowed to travel only within 30 kilometers inside Tibet. The Chinese government has assisted in repatriating those without passports and visas who were stranded by the flood in Tibet.
“They have been granted temporary permission and are being sent back to Nepal through the Tatopani border,” Niraula confirmed.
The Nepali Embassy estimates around 1,600 Nepalis are currently in Kerung. Among them, 800 have registered to return to Nepal.
“Those who have worked long-term in hotels and restaurants have not yet registered. Most registrations are from Nepalis involved in goods transport, shopping, and loading/unloading,” Niraula added.
Other Nepalis Wanting to Return Can Also Register
The Chinese government permits Nepali trucks transporting goods from China to travel up to about 27 kilometers away at the Kerung border.
Ram Hari Karki, President of the Nepal Himalaya Cross-Border Trade Association, reported that 176 trucks and containers along with 80 drivers are currently stranded heading toward Kerung.
“Nepalis are also working in restaurants and shops there, as well as in loading and unloading. We have obtained details of 80 drivers,” he stated.
Previously, the Nepali Embassy in Beijing had published phone numbers to assist Nepalis stranded towards Tibet to return home.
Trade Representative Niraula said Nepalis holding temporary passes who have reached Kerung and wish to return are advised to contact local authorities to register their names. Following this, the Chinese government has arranged bus transportation to the Tatopani border.
According to Association President Karki, trucks stranded in Kerung have not yet been permitted to be brought through the Tatopani border.
“Since Tatopani remains closed, we have been told to bring goods via the Korla border, which is far. We are requesting permission to transport via Tatopani,” Karki said.
How Many Nepalis Are Missing at the Border?
Image source: Reuters
The Embassy has confirmed that Nepalis who had traveled to Tibet on visas for Mansarovar pilgrimage and other purposes have already returned via Lhasa and Tatopani border.
The flood originating in Tibet along the Bhote Koshi River washed away border facilities, including immigration offices on both the Nepal and China sides at Rasuwagadhi.
Nepal’s Immigration Office had already reported that 35 Nepalis had entered China from Rasuwagadhi border before the flood hit on September 26 (Bhadau 10).
Following the flood, Chinese authorities have reported that 104 Nepalis were present at the washed-out border point, Trade Representative Niraula revealed.
Most of them had crossed into China under temporary passes, but “their current condition is still unknown,” he added.