KATHMANDU, JANUARY 1 The Rasuwagadhi border checkpoint, a key overland trade route between Nepal and China, has resumed full operations from Thursday, nearly six months after being shut down due to flood damage. According to Chief District Officer Rajesh Panthi, the checkpoint had remained completely closed since July 8, when flooding in the Lhende River washed away the Miteri Bridge over the Bhotekoshi River, severing cross-border movement. Border operations restarted following the completion of a 91-metre Bailey bridge, constructed with support from the Government of China. The temporary bridge can handle vehicles weighing up to 55 tonnes, allowing cargo traffic to resume. Police Inspector Bikram Kunwar of the Border Police Post, Timure, said eight Nepali cargo containers had crossed into Kerung, China, by Thursday morning. Meanwhile, Rasuwagadhi Customs Office Chief Tulasi Prasad Bhattarai said the prolonged disruption caused import revenue losses exceeding Rs 22 billion compared to the previous fiscal year. The July floods had damaged multiple road sections in the area, with the destruction of the Miteri Bridge bringing cross-border trade to a complete standstill. (With inputs from RSS)