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Kathmandu, 12 Bhadra – Nepali consumers may face higher prices this festive season as monsoon-related disasters block major trade routes from the north. Heavy rains and landslides have disrupted traffic at two key border crossings, Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi, leaving around 400 containers of goods bound for Nepal stranded in China.

These containers, intended to meet Dashain and Tihar demand, carry clothing, footwear, apples, walnuts, garlic, dry fruits, and electronic gadgets. Traders had placed orders months ago, anticipating the festive market. The delay threatens both shortages and price spikes, as limited stock in Nepal could fuel black-market activity.

Jayant Kumar Agrawal, General Secretary of the Nepal Overseas Exporters’ Association, said the stranded containers are valued in billions of rupees. “We have no exact figures, but an estimated 400 containers are stuck. Apples and garlic may spoil inside the boxes, while clothing and shoes risk mildew. There is no proper assessment of the losses yet,” he said. Agrawal stressed that this is not a one-time crisis, but a recurring issue due to insufficient infrastructure at northern border points. He urged the government to operationalize alternative and safer crossings, such as those agreed upon in Mustang over a decade ago.

Ramchandra Parajuli, General Secretary of the Nepal Himalaya Cross-Border Trade Association, warned that if the goods do not arrive within 10 to 15 days, the festive markets will see unavoidable price hikes. “When goods are scarce, black-market trading surges, pushing prices unnaturally high. Some traders have previously exploited such crises to create artificial shortages,” he said.

Efforts to manually transport goods have been underway. At Tatopani, porters are carrying containers over landslides to reach waiting trucks. While this has brought in some essential items, it is costly and risky, doubling transportation expenses. Parajuli explained that the price of one kilogram of apples could rise from 200 to 400 rupees under such conditions. Rasuwagadhi remains closed after landslides damaged the connecting road and a crucial bridge, halting trade for weeks.

Government officials report that minor repairs are ongoing, but continuous rainfall and landslides keep reopening the problem. Even temporary solutions, like makeshift bridges, are only stopgap measures, highlighting the vulnerability of trade infrastructure.

Traders and the Nepal Chamber of Commerce have called for urgent action. With Dashain and Tihar approaching, the prolonged closure of key trade points threatens not only large-scale trade but also small industries and businesses. Agrawal emphasized that Nepal cannot rely on nature’s mercy each year and that long-term solutions are necessary to prevent recurring disruptions.

For now, Nepal faces both a logistical and economic challenge: stranded goods in China, rising transport costs, and looming price hikes for consumers during the country’s biggest festivals. Without immediate government intervention and infrastructure improvements, this seasonal crisis may become an annual burden.

People’s News Monitoring Service