Kerung Border Post Buried by Landslide, China Mobilizes Advanced Rescue Efforts
Summary
A landslide and flood buried Kerung, the key Nepal-China border crossing, prompting Chinese rescue teams and army personnel to deploy advanced equipment in search operations. The disaster has also renewed concerns over the safety of trade corridors and future railway plans in the Himalayas.
Key Points
- A landslide with ice and rocks, followed by flooding, buried Kerung, a major Nepal-China border post, and Chinese rescue teams are using excavation machines, 3D scanners and drones in the response.
- The slide created a new lake nearby that authorities say could burst at any moment, adding to the danger in the area.
- Kerung carries about 30 percent of Nepal-China trade and has become strategically vital for China after the destruction of the Zhangmu/Tatopani crossing in 2015.
- The disaster has intensified questions about the feasibility and risks of China’s Himalayan infrastructure plans, including the proposed Kerung-Kathmandu railway.
