Nepal flooding: Hundreds missing and many feared dead after flood hits Nepal-China border

Tibet’s Gyirong port, which has borne the brunt of the mudslide, is a major land border crossing between China and Nepal. Developed as a hub for trade between the two countries, Beijing sees the crossing as a node in its Belt and Road global connectivity drive.

Border police operate a checkpoint at the Himalayan port, situated more than 1800 meters above sea level.

The port typically sees hundreds of millions of dollars in annual, two-way trade. Flows accounted for nearly a third of China-Nepal trade volume in 2024, according to Chinese state agency Xinhua. Since 2017 individual travelers have also been able to pass through the port.

Gyirong port is no stranger to natural disasters. In July 2025, floods swept away the bridge connecting it with Nepal’s Rasuwa Port, suspending goods trade for roughly six months, state media reported at the time.

The port was also closed for months following a devastating earthquake in 2015.

Significant infrastructure, including an economic cooperation zone, have been built in the area since then, as China has pushed to turn the crossing into a modern logistics hub. Gyirong county, where the border port is located, has a permanent population of less than 20,000.

Authorities on Wednesday pre-emptively announced that roads leading to the port would be closed to non-emergency vehicles for seven days, according to state media. How much access is currently possible for emergency vehicles is not clear. Local media has reported communications and power outages in the area.