KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 23

Nepal's festive season imports have suffered a major setback as the two key trading gateways with China-Tatopani and Kerung-remain closed, leaving thousands of containers carrying Dashain merchandise stranded.

The Pasang Lhamu Highway has been out of service since June 8 when floods washed away the Miteri Bridge, cutting off the Kerung route.

Similarly, continuous landslides along the Araniko Highway have kept the Tatopani crossing closed for over a month.

Business associations report that more than 3,000 containers are stuck at Tatopani and another 1,500 at Kerung.

Traders in Kathmandu warn that the shortages are already pushing up the prices of clothing, household items and raw materials just as the peak shopping period begins.