KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Seven bodies recovered from Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project
Seven bodies have been recovered from the flood-damaged Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project. The Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN) said seven bodies were found on Friday during a search operation for people who remain missing inside the tunnel and headbox. A large number of people have been reported missing from the 216-megawatt Upper Trishuli-1 project following the flood on August 26. A team comprising a Nepal Army survey engineer and representatives of the project developer, Nepal Water and Energy Development Company, inspected Audit 1 on Friday. According to rescuers, the area was found to be completely filled with debris.
Nepal qualify for Asia Cup after 44-run victory over UAE
Nepal have won the title of the third edition of the ACC Premier Cup One-Day tournament after defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 44 runs in the final held in Malaysia on Saturday. With the victory, Nepal have qualified for the 2027 ODI Asia Cup to be held in Bangladesh. This is Nepal’s second qualification for the Asia Cup. Nepal had previously secured a place in the 2023 Asia Cup by defeating the UAE. The UAE, the defending champions, have missed out on qualification for the 2027 Asia Cup. Chasing Nepal’s target of 314 runs, the UAE were bowled out for 269 runs in 49.1 overs. Rahul Chopra scored an unbeaten 100 off 105 balls, including three fours and four sixes, but his century was not enough to secure victory for the UAE.
PM Relief Fund collects Rs 13.54 billion so far
The Prime Minister’s Natural Disaster Relief Fund has accumulated Rs 13.54 billion so far, according to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. The office said Rs 282.14 million was deposited into the fund after 5:00 pm on September 11. The amount was deposited into accounts maintained by the fund at nine different banks. The government has already released Rs 1 billion from the fund through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to support flood victims.
Climate, environment at center of Nepal-China cooperation: Foreign Minister Khanal
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has called for Nepal-China relations to move beyond traditional border management and develop into a strategic partnership centered on environmental cooperation, climate security, technology, trade and infrastructure development. Speaking at a programme titled “Nepal-China Relations: Expanded Dimensions of Cooperation” organized under the Kashtamandap Dialogue series by the Foundation for Peace, Development and Socialism, Khanal said the recent Bhote Koshi flood demonstrated that the Nepal-China border is not merely a political boundary but also a region where the two countries share a common ecological destiny. Describing the Bhote Koshi flood of August 26 as a “Himalayan tsunami,” Khanal expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for providing emergency and technical assistance and supporting hydrological coordination during post-disaster rescue efforts.
Prachanda urges priority for reconstruction and rehabilitation
Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that flood-affected areas should be given priority for permanent reconstruction and rehabilitation alongside immediate relief and temporary arrangements. Speaking after inspecting flood-affected areas in Galchhi, Dhading, on Saturday, Dahal said the scale of human and property losses made reconstruction and rehabilitation an urgent priority. “The material losses have been huge. Along with providing relief to flood victims, we now need to focus on temporary and permanent reconstruction and rehabilitation,” he said.
Counselors deployed to support flood victims in Rasuwa
Bagmati Province Chief Minister Kiran Thapa Magar has said that counselors have been deployed to provide psychosocial support to flood victims in the Bhote Koshi area of Rasuwa. Speaking at a programme organized by the Nepal Press Society, Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur, on Saturday, Chief Minister Thapa Magar said 16 counselors are currently working in the disaster-affected areas. He said children who lost their parents in the devastating floods in Rasuwa would be provided education up to Grade 12 and residential schooling according to their needs. More than 7,000 people have been affected by the floods and landslides, he said.
Indra Jatra schedule announced, tree to be cut on Sunday
The Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Development Committee has announced the auspicious dates and timings for this year’s Indra Jatra festival. The festival begins from the second day of the bright fortnight of Bhadra. According to committee chairperson and Associate Professor Dr Purushottam Bhattarai, the auspicious time for the forest journey to cut the tree for the ceremonial pole of Indra Jatra is 9:53 am on Sunday, September 12. The tree-cutting ceremony will take place at 8:47 pm. The tree is traditionally cut from the Chittapol forest in Bhaktapur for the ceremonial Indra flagpole. The auspicious time to bring the pole into the city has been set for 8:05 am on Saturday, September 19.
Kulman Ghising: Poor disaster response at initial stage increased human losses
Ujyaalo Nepal Party Chair Kulman Ghising has said the loss of lives increased because the government failed to make adequate preparations and manage disasters effectively at the initial stage. Speaking at an event in Lalitpur on Saturday, Ghising said many lives could have been saved if adequate preparations had been made before disasters and timely and effective measures had been taken during emergencies. He said all political parties, civil society and citizens should work together to respond to the major natural disasters facing the country. Ghising also accused the government of failing to meet young people’s expectations following the Gen-Z movement. He said growing disappointment among young people was contributing to an increasing number of youths leaving the country.
Modi calls for global south to move from rule-takers to rule-makers at BRICS Summit
The 18th BRICS Summit is underway in New Delhi, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a stronger role for the Global South in global decision-making. Addressing the opening session of the summit, Modi said countries of the Global South should move beyond being merely “rule-takers” and become “rule-makers.” He said BRICS could take the lead in providing young diplomats with the necessary training and legal expertise to support this transition. Marking two decades since the establishment of BRICS, Modi described the occasion as a moment of maturity for the grouping. He said it was time to turn lessons from the past into concrete outcomes on the international stage.
Bhotekoshi disaster: Police use three methods to identify bodies
DNA testing is underway at forensic laboratories to identify the bodies recovered following the Bhotekoshi flood. Central Police Spokesperson Aabin Narayan Kafle said DNA tests are being conducted at the Nepal Police Central Forensic Science Laboratory and the laboratory of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) in Khumaltar. The samples collected for identification are being carefully examined to minimise the possibility of errors. Experts from India, China, South Korea and Singapore have arrived in Nepal to assist Nepali forensic teams. Indian and South Korean experts are supporting the police forensic laboratory, while Indian and Chinese teams are assisting at the Khumaltar laboratory.
Education Minister Pokharel leaves Siraha programme amid local party protest
Government spokesperson and Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel left an event in Siraha’s Aurahi Rural Municipality midway after protests and heckling broke out. The event was organised by the rural municipality’s Education Section. Local leaders and cadres of the minister’s own party protested, arguing that the programme had been organised unilaterally without coordination with the party’s local leadership. The participants complained that visiting leaders had been given prominent respect while local leaders were not even given seats on the dais. The minister left the programme after facing strong opposition while he was speaking.
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