A massive earthquake two years ago and Bhotekoshi floods last year had left the Tatopani Bazaar, once a bustling town bordering China, in the lurch with a massive slump in business activities.

Tatopani now faces another major setback after the Larcha bridge, the only bridge linking it with the Capital, was struck by a massive landslide on Sunday night.

The rain-triggered landslide at Larcha-3 of Bhote Koshi Rural Municipality in Sindhupalchok at around 8pm on Sunday fell on the motorable bridge, destroying the structure completely.

The bridge was built two and a half decades ago with the Chinese assistance.

Pema Dolma Tamang, a local, said people heard a loud sound at around 8pm when the landslide hit the bridge.

“There were dry landslides since afternoon, but a huge landmass fell on the bridge in the night following continuous rainfall,” said Tamang. “The debris of the bridge that fell into the river had partially blocked the river flow—for about 20 minutes—causing panic among locals. But the obstruction got cleared soon.”

With vehicular movement along the Arniko Highway, which links Kathmandu with the Tatopani border point, obstructed after the bridge collapse, people from Tatopani and other areas, especially those who are in need of urgent medical attention, are facing a tough time. People are left with no option that to walk for around two-three hours via Dugunabhir exposing themselves to landslide risks, as there is no alternative route nearby.

“There is a suspension bridge at two-hour walking distance from the incident site,” said Sindhupalchok DSP Shyam Krishna Adhikari said. “There were some small huts and tea shops some 200 metres from the bridge. We have asked them to move to safer areas,” he added.

After the landslide, the Flood Forecasting Section under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) on Sunday night had issued a special bulletin in view of possible blockage of the Bhotekoshi river.

The Larcha was hit by a landslide and floods in the Bhairav Kunda stream on July 22, 1996 as well.

“Forty-four people had lost their lives in the disaster,” recalled Amrit Kumar Khadka, former chairman of then Tatopani Village Development Committee. “After 24 years, a landslide has occurred at the same place,” said Khadka.

Locals living near Tatopani area are now worried about possible floods.

“We always have sleepless nights during monsoon,” said Phulki Sherpa, a local resident of Larcha.

Meanwhile, the DHM issued another special bulletin on Monday, saying that the Bhotekoshi river was not blocked and that the water level had risen because of rains.

It, however, has urged the locals living nearby and downstream to exercise caution and stay safe, saying that light to moderate rains could trigger landslides.