Maharajganj, Aug. 28 -- The flash floods in Nepal have disrupted cross-border trade with India, with the movement of goods vehicles to Kathmandu and other parts of the neighbouring country affected by damaged and flooded roads.
A queue of around 16 km of cargo vehicles has formed on the Indian side of the Sonauli border in Uttar Pradesh's Maharajganj district, as trucks wait to enter Nepal. Besides vehicles headed for Kathmandu, cargo trucks travelling to other parts of Nepal are also facing delays as traffic movement on several routes remains affected.
The queue has stretched towards Nautanwa, raising concerns over traffic movement on the national highway. Security agencies and police personnel are monitoring the situation and regulating the movement of vehicles. Officials said that the surveillance at the Sonauli border has been intensified, and police station heads in the border areas have been directed to remain alert.
They warned that the situation could worsen if road connectivity in Nepal is not restored soon, potentially delaying the movement and supply of goods between the two countries. The floods have also affected residents of Maharajganj who work in Nepal.
Raj Kumar Gautam, a resident of Jagarnathpur village, is returning home after escaping the flood-hit situation in Nepal. He had been working as a furniture worker in Kathmandu for nearly a year.
Gautam told his family over the phone that the situation was terrifying, with several families devastated and people struggling to reach safer places amid panic and chaos. His daughter Ankita said she spoke to him around 4 pm on Thursday, when he informed that he was returning home via Bihar.
Gautam is the sole earning member of his family and supports the livelihood and education of his children.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.