Sindhupalchowk. China: Nepal-China northern trade transit point Tatopani has been closed since today following a massive forest fire in the Nyalam-Khasa area of China.

The Chinese administration has banned all movement through the border point, citing increased security risks. Jagat Bahadur Rai, Police Inspector at the Area Police Office, Kodari, informed that the decision to close the checkpoint was taken as the inferno that broke out at Chobin area including the central part of Nyalam and Khasa on Sunday night has not come under control yet.

According to Rai, the movement of cargo vehicles has come to a grinding halt along with the movement of locals and tourists with the spread of the fire. According to him, the sky in Liping and Tatopani and surrounding areas adjoining the border point has been covered with smoke and ash while the fire has also affected communication and network service along the border.

Most of the trade with China was carried out through Tatopani border point after the Rasuwa border point was closed due to floods last year. However, with the closure of Tatopani border point, containers carrying imported goods worth millions of rupees have been stranded. Arjun Sapkota, president of Nepal Truck Container Workers Association, said that importers and entrepreneurs have been facing more crisis as the border point is not yet opened.