KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Six key decisions made by the Cabinet
The government has approved the Government Decision Process Simplification and Digitalisation Rules, 2026. The Cabinet made six decisions on various issues. Government spokesperson and Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel made public the decisions of Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting. According to Minister Pokharel, the meeting fixed the advance tax rates on gains derived from the disposal of interests in entities listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange. An advance tax of 3.5 percent has been set on gains from interests held by individuals for more than 365 days, while a 5 percent rate has been fixed for gains from interests held for 365 days or less.
PM Shah sensitive to post-disaster response: Rabi Lamichhane
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has said Prime Minister (PM) Balendra Shah has been actively engaged in the government’s response to the devastation caused by the Bhotekoshi flood. Speaking to the media following an all-party meeting on Wednesday, Lamichhane said the Prime Minister had not ignored the meeting or the situation in the flood-affected areas. Responding to a question about whether Prime Minister Shah had overlooked the all-party meeting amid the disaster, Lamichhane said Shah had been in regular contact with political leaders and representatives from affected areas.
Nine bodies found in Chilime and Upper Trishuli-1 tunnels in a single day
Three intact bodies and a human body part were recovered from the powerhouse area of the Chilime Hydropower Centre during a search operation on Wednesday. The bodies and human remains were found by a search and rescue team led by the Nepali Army and involving the Armed Police Force, Nepal Electricity Authority personnel and a team from the Indian Army. Rasuwa Chief District Officer Kamal Prasad Pandey confirmed that the bodies were recovered during the search and rescue operation.
All-party parliamentary special committee to be formed for disaster management
An all-party meeting called by Chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Rabi Lamichhane, has decided to form an all-party parliamentary special committee within a week for disaster risk reduction and management. The meeting held at RSP Parliamentary Party Office in Singha Durbar today took the decision to take initiative to form such committee to provide clear policy-level roadmap and strategic framework to prevent possible human casualties and physical losses from disaster in future learning serious lesion from Bhotekoshi flood. The committee would collaborate, cooperate and monitor as well as make coordination between the government, parliament and stakeholders about long-term direction to be adopted by the state for reconstruction of post-disaster sustainable infrastructures, preparedness of disaster, enhancement of early warning system and strong climate diplomacy.
Congress calls for strict market monitoring, says consumers have not felt relief from inflation
Nepali Congress whip Nishcal Rai has called on the government to introduce a clear rehabilitation master plan for victims of the recent floods. Speaking at the House of Representatives meeting on Wednesday, Rai said providing only relief packages to flood victims would not fulfil the state’s responsibility. He called for a comprehensive rehabilitation plan covering the development of safe settlements, employment, education, healthcare and psychosocial counselling. He also said food and cooking gas prices had increased sharply in the market under the pretext of the floods, with reports of widespread black marketing. Rai said that even after a change in the supply minister, citizens had not felt any reduction in the cost of living.
Four bodies found inside Chilime tunnel after continuous search
Four bodies have been found inside a tunnel at Chilime during an ongoing search and rescue operation by teams from the Nepali Army and Armed Police Force. According to DSP Shailendra Thapa, assistant spokesperson for the Armed Police Force, the search operation is continuing as there is a possibility that more people could still be trapped inside the tunnel, either alive or dead. Nepali Army and Armed Police Force teams were deployed to search for people trapped inside the tunnel following the Bhotekoshi flood. The teams have been clearing accumulated mud, rocks and other obstructions inside the tunnel while carrying out the search operation.
Government forms expert panel to study Bhotekoshi flood
The government has formed a seven-member expert committee to conduct a comprehensive scientific study into the devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa and determine its origin, causes and contributing factors. The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation formed the committee on Wednesday under the coordination of water policy and good governance expert Devesh Belbase. The committee comprises hydrologist Dr. Narendraman Shakya, glaciologist Dr. Rijanbhakta Kayastha, remote sensing expert Dr. Uttambabu Shrestha, geologist Dr. Meghraj Dhital, hydropower infrastructure expert Dr. Hari Pandit and disaster risk reduction expert Anil Pokharel.
NRB calls for bids to collect Rs 6 billion in deposits
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), through its Monetary Management Department, has invited bids to collect Rs 6 billion in deposits for a one-month period. According to the central bank, only licensed Class ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ banks and financial institutions are eligible to participate in the deposit collection instrument. The minimum bid amount has been fixed at Rs 100 million, while bidders may submit amounts in multiples of the minimum bid amount, the NRB said.
Indian Ambassador Shrivastava pays farewell call on Foreign Minister Khanal
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Shrivastava paid a farewell call on Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal on Wednesday. During the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Khanal congratulated Ambassador Shrivastava on the successful completion of his tenure, according to the ministry. Khanal appreciated Shrivastava’s contribution to further strengthening and broadening Nepal-India relations during his tenure. They discussed progress in bilateral cooperation in areas including energy, trade, infrastructure, connectivity, and people-to-people ties. The Foreign Minister also expressed gratitude to India for its solidarity and prompt assistance following the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River. He appreciated India’s support for search, rescue and relief operations in the aftermath of the disaster.
Parties agree on high-level mechanism under Rabi Lamichhane
A meeting of major political parties on Wednesday agreed to form a high-level political mechanism under the leadership of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane to coordinate efforts on disaster risk reduction and sustainable development. RSP spokesperson Jagadish Kharel said the mechanism will include representatives from major political parties, including the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Nepali Communist Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Shram Sanskriti Party, Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal, Janamat Party and Rastriya Janamorcha, among others. “RSP Chair Lamichhane called the meeting of the all-party mechanism the day after the flood. It has now been agreed to continue a high-level political mechanism to promote sustainable development and disaster risk reduction,” Kharel said.
US reaffirms support for Nepal’s flood recovery
The United States (US) has reaffirmed its support for Nepal’s recovery efforts following the devastating floods of August 26, with discussions focusing on humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and strengthening bilateral cooperation. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Megan Bouldin met Prime Minister Balendra Shah today and conveyed US President Donald Trump’s offer of support to Nepal, along with the condolences and sympathies of the American people to those affected by the disaster. During the meeting, Bouldin thanked Prime Minister Shah for his government’s assistance in the search for missing American citizens. She also highlighted the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) ongoing cooperation with Nepal Police in identifying disaster victims, with the aim of providing answers to American and Nepali families and others awaiting information about their loved ones.
Govt proposes six-month paid maternity leave
The government has proposed providing mothers with at least six months of paid maternity leave and fathers with 42 days of paid paternity care leave. Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam said the provisions have been proposed in a bill prepared to amend the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act, 2075. In a social media post on Tuesday, Minister Gautam said the bill will be presented to the Cabinet before being tabled in Parliament for further discussion and approval.
Krishnabhir track opening completed, vehicular movement to resume Thursday
The construction of a new track at Krishnabhir along the Nagdhunga-Muglin section of the Prithvi Highway, which was blocked by floods, has been completed. With the opening of the new track, vehicular movement along the road section is expected to resume fully from Thursday. Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s Secretariat shared a drone view of Krishnabhir, confirming that the track-opening work had been completed. The road section has remained blocked since August 39, disrupting the supply of food, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and fuel to the Kathmandu Valley.
Several highways remain blocked due to floods and landslides
Several highways across the country remain blocked today due to floods, landslides, and road erosion triggered by heavy rainfall. In Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading, several road sections, including the Prithvi Highway, have remained disrupted since Bhadra 20 following flooding in the Bhote Koshi River. Traffic on the Prithvi Highway has not yet fully resumed at sections affected by landslides. Vehicular movement through Krishnabhir in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality-7, Dhading, also remains suspended. Meanwhile, one-way traffic is being operated at Jwangkhola, Sheetal Bazar, and Tuinkhola in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality-10, Dhading.
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