KATHMANDU: Nepali and Chinese security forces reopened the obstructed Tatopani-Khadichaur section of the Araniko Highway in Sindhupalchok district on Thursday.

Nepal Army, Chinese Armed Police and other security forces of Nepal were working since August 1 to reopen the Highway, the only land route to connect Kathmandu to China.

The 36-km stretch of the Highway was blocked after a number of landslides triggered by the April 25 earthquake and incessant rainfall hit various points of the road.

A statement issued by the Directorate of Public Relations of Nepal Army said 19 engineering equipment and 20 supporting equipment belonging to the Chinese Armed Police were used by the joint team.

Though the team had targeted to reopen the road within 15 days, the task was complete in just five days, according to the statement.

The road clearance task was launched today on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China. The two neighbours had set up diplomatic ties on 1 August, 1955.

Meanwhile, China gifted 500 tents to the Nepal Army. As many as 27 military trucks have gone to the Sino-Nepal border in Tatopani to collect and fetch the assistance, the statement added.