Covid 19 coronavirus: Nepal faces nightmare as infections soar and medical supplies run out 10 May, 2021 06:00 PM 7 minutes to read Coronavirus cases are surging in the mountainous nation of Nepal. Video / Agencia EFE / AP news.com.au By: Benedict Brook The Covid-19 crisis engulfing the mountainous nation of Nepal probably started somewhere like the border town of Birgunj. Known as the "Gateway to Nepal", bustling Birgunj is a main link between the capital Kathmandu and Kolkata, India's third largest city with 14 million residents. The two countries share an open border; no passports are needed and citizens of each country walk or drive freely across the frontier every day.