KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Nearly half a million passengers leave Kathmandu Valley for Dashain
Nearly half a million passengers have left the Kathmandu Valley to celebrate the Dashain festival with their families. A total of 496,323 passengers travelled out of the Valley on public transport between Ghatasthapana and October 17. Naresh Raj Subedi, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, said the number of people leaving the Valley had been rising since October 12, although departures on Saturday declined compared with the previous day. Major departure points, including New Bus Park in Gongabu, Machhapokhari, Kalanki, Balkhu, Koteshwor and Gaushala, have witnessed a steady flow of passengers heading to their hometowns for the festival. Passengers have been leaving the Valley through several routes, including Pharping, Nagdhunga, Thankot, Bhimdhunga, Tinpiple, Sankhu, Jagati in Bhaktapur and Bhattedanda in Lalitpur.
Santamaya wins Rs one million in Taxpayer Incentive Program
Santamaya Tamang of Nuwakot has won the bumper prize of Rs 1 million under the Inland Revenue Department’s Taxpayer Incentive Programme after purchasing goods worth Rs 3,000. Tamang bought the goods from SS Fancy House in Nuwakot during Dashain. The coupon number 081632515849, generated from the purchase bill, was selected through a lottery to determine the bumper prize winner. The winner was announced at a program held at Bishal Bazaar in Kathmandu, where artists Deepak Raj Giri and Deepashree Niraula unveiled the bumper and daily prize winners through a computerised draw. Following the announcement, the artists contacted Tamang by phone and informed her that she had won the Rs one million prize.
Ten people killed in separate road accidents
Ten people have been killed in separate road accidents in various parts of the country, according to the Central Police Newsroom. Nine people died in accidents in Sindhuli, Sunsari, Udayapur, Dhanusha, Morang, Rautahat and Rolpa over the past 24 hours, while another person died following an auto-rickshaw accident in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East). Three people were killed on the spot when a jeep (Ko 1 Ja 2976) lost control and crashed at Nagthan in Fikkal Rural Municipality-6, Sindhuli, this morning. One of the deceased was 21-year-old Yupana Rai of Diktel, Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality-5, Khotang. The jeep was travelling from Kathmandu to Khotang. The injured driver and one passenger are receiving treatment at Sindhuli Hospital, while two other injured people are being treated at the National Trauma Center.
Three killed as jeep plunges into Sunkoshi river
Three people have died after a jeep (registration number Ko 1 Ja 2976) travelling from Kathmandu to Khotang plunged into the Sunkoshi River in Fikkal Rural Municipality–6, Sindhuli district, on Sunday morning. The bodies of three women were recovered from the accident site after the jeep plunged into the river along the Mid-Hill Highway. Four people, including the driver, were injured in the accident, while three others remain missing. The injured are receiving treatment at Sindhuli District Hospital. A police team, including divers, has been deployed to search for the missing passengers. The cause of the accident has yet to be determined.
Former Investment Board CEO Sushil Bhatta arrested
Police have arrested Sushil Bhatta, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Investment Board Nepal, for investigation into an alleged offence under the Nepal Rastra Bank Act. A team from the Kathmandu District Police Range arrested Bhatta in Lalitpur on Saturday, according to a senior police officer. Police said Bhatta was taken into custody over his alleged links to a financial transaction involving Inam Sapkota. Investigators reportedly traced the connection through information obtained from Sapkota’s mobile phone and statements he provided while in police custody. Sapkota had come under investigation following the arrest of former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana, according to the report. Police are continuing their investigation into the matter. Bhatta is the brother of Deepak Bhatta, who is facing a money laundering case. Deepak was transferred from Nakkhu Jail in Lalitpur to Sindhupalchowk shortly after Rana’s arrest, according to the report.
Tatopani border crossing reopens for three days
The Tatopani border crossing between Nepal and China has reopened for three days, from October 18 to 20, allowing cargo vehicles to resume cross-border movement, according to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. The ministry said the crossing would remain open exclusively to cargo vehicles during the designated period, with other vehicles barred from using the route under the temporary arrangement. The three-day reopening is expected to facilitate the transportation of goods between Nepal and China and provide temporary relief to traders and transport operators relying on the Tatopani checkpoint for cross-border commerce. Traders and logistics companies have been advised to coordinate their shipments within the limited operating window to ensure the timely movement of cargo.
Goat trade in Chitwan expected to exceed Rs 300 million during Dashain
Goat sales in Chitwan are expected to generate more than Rs 300 million in business during this year’s Bada Dashain festival, as demand for meat rises with the start of the festive season. Ganesh Prasad Kandel, chairperson of the Meat Traders Association Chitwan, said more than 15,000 goats are expected to be sold in the district during Dashain alone, generating an estimated turnover of over Rs 300 million. The estimate excludes goats and sheep raised and consumed by households for their own use. Around 10,000 goats and sheep were sold in Chitwan during Dashain last year. Traders expect sales to increase this year, citing rising demand since Ghatasthapana, which marks the beginning of the Dashain festival. Of the more than 1,000 meat shops operating in the district, approximately 150 sell goat meat.
Nepal Telecom becomes official partner of NPL-3
Nepal Telecommunications Company Limited (Nepal Telecom) will sponsor the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). Nepal Telecom Managing Director Sangita Pahadi and Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) General Manager Utsav Dhungana signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to this effect at a programme held here today. Speaking on the occasion, Nepal Telecom Chief Technical Officer Dilliram Adhikari said the company had been supporting the national-level cricket tournament for years to contribute to the institutional development of cricket in the country. The NPL 2026 is scheduled to take place at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur from October 26 to November 21.
Western winds bring cloudy skies and chances of rain in parts of Nepal
Western winds are influencing weather conditions across parts of Nepal, bringing partial cloud cover to the country’s hilly and mountainous regions, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. The Department said the weather is currently partly cloudy in the hills and mountains, while most areas of the Terai are experiencing generally clear conditions. People in the affected areas are advised to remain alert to changing weather conditions, particularly where thunderstorms or snowfall may occur.
Kaligandaki flood: Temporary tower built to restore power transmission
The 220 kV Dana–Khurkot transmission line under the Kaligandaki Corridor, which was damaged by flooding and erosion along the Kaligandaki River, has been repaired, restoring electricity transmission to the national grid. A temporary tower using Canadian technology has been installed to restore power transmission during the emergency. Damage to three towers of the transmission line in Dowa, Annapurna Rural Municipality–1, and Dhirchyang, Annapurna Rural Municipality–6, in Myagdi district had prevented 176 megawatts of electricity generated by seven hydropower projects in Myagdi and Mustang from being connected to the national grid. Roshan Khadka, chief of the Nepal Electricity Authority’s Gandaki Province Grid Branch in Pokhara, said the temporary tower was installed to replace the three flood-damaged towers. The transmission line was re-energised at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday after the installation of the wires was completed.
Suspension bridge connecting Dhunge and Trishuli comes into operation
Movement between Dhunge and Trishuli Bazaar in Nuwakot has become easier with the opening of a newly constructed suspension bridge over the Trishuli River. The bridge, built to reconnect communities after floods destroyed two concrete bridges, has been opened to the public despite some construction work remaining unfinished. The Bhotekoshi flood on August 26 swept away two concrete bridges in Bidur Municipality–1, disrupting transportation and movement between settlements on either side of the river. In the absence of a bridge, residents had to rely on tuk-tuks, ropeways and zip lines to cross the river, making daily travel particularly difficult for people living in flood-affected areas, including Trishuli Bazaar. The suspension bridge has now eased the movement of residents and the transportation of relief supplies, while also supporting ongoing recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Maha Astami observed with special worship of Goddess Durga
Hindus across Nepal observed Maha Astami today, the eighth day of the 10-day Bada Dashain festival, with special prayers, religious rituals and offerings dedicated to Goddess Durga and her various manifestations. On this auspicious occasion, devotees worshipped Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati, seeking blessings for strength, prosperity and wisdom. According to Hindu religious beliefs, Maha Astami marks a significant stage in Goddess Durga’s battle against evil and symbolises the triumph of divine power over demonic forces. Special rituals were performed at Dashain Ghar, homes and temples across the country. Devotees also visited shrines dedicated to various manifestations of the Goddess, offering prayers and animal sacrifices as part of traditional observances.
Ugratara Bhagwati temple draws crowds of devotees for Maha Ashtami
Ugratara Bhagwati Temple, one of the prominent Shaktipeeths in Nepal’s far-western region, has drawn large crowds of devotees for the Maha Ashtami festival, with a religious fair being held on the temple premises. Located about four kilometres north of the Dadeldhura district headquarters, the temple has become a major gathering place for devotees observing the Dashain festival. Tej Bahadur Sanki, chairperson of the Ugratara Area Development Committee, said special worship rituals, including animal sacrifices, are performed during the Ashtami fair. Grand worship ceremonies are also held at the temple during Dashain. Devotees from all nine districts of Sudurpaschim Province and other parts of the country visit the temple to offer prayers.
Kathmandu’s busy roads grow quieter as Dashain exodus begins
Traffic congestion across the Kathmandu Valley has eased as thousands of people leave the capital to celebrate the Dashain festival with their families. Residents who live in the Valley for education, employment and other professional commitments have begun travelling to their hometowns for the festive season, leaving the capital’s usually busy roads noticeably less crowded. According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, a total of 423,664 passengers left the Valley between Ghatasthapana and October 16. The growing outflow of passengers has also reduced the number of people using public transport within the Valley. Following the opening of route permits for medium- and long-distance vehicles, some public transport operators that normally serve local routes have also begun travelling outside the Valley on reserved trips.
Four arrested with more than nine quintals of marijuana in Sunsari
Police have arrested four people after recovering 915.68 kilograms of marijuana during a search of a house in Gyanodaya Tole, Inaruwa Municipality–4, Sunsari district. Hemraj Oli, assistant information officer at the District Police Office, told the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) that the marijuana was seized from the house of Bulbul Yadav near the local Hanuman temple. The arrested individuals have been identified as Bulbul Yadav, 36, and Santosh Yadav, 23, and Ashish Yadav, 30, all residents of Inaruwa Municipality–4, and Kundan Yadav, 22, of Duhabi Municipality–10. Police have also impounded a motorcycle in connection with the case, Oli said.
One killed, seven injured in auto-rickshaw accident
One person was killed and seven others, including the driver, were injured when an auto-rickshaw met with an accident on an inner road at Majhatol in Kawasoti Municipality-6 of Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) this afternoon. The auto-rickshaw (Ga Pra 04-001 Ha 0702), travelling from Bishnunagar towards Kawasoti, lost control and plunged into a canal on the left side of the road, police said. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Anil Pandit, information officer at the District Police Office, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), 41-year-old Isha Sunar of Hattikhor, Kawasoti Municipality-1, who was seriously injured in the accident, died while undergoing treatment at Central Hospital in Bharatpur.
Chitwan Medical College to continue specialist services during Dashain holidays
Chitwan Medical College (CMC) Teaching Hospital will continue providing specialist medical services throughout the Dashain holidays. The hospital has announced that it will provide services through its emergency department for four days, from October 19 to 22. Hospital Director Prof. Dr. Gopendra Dev said the arrangement had been made to ensure that patients receive medical care during the four days from Maha Ashtami to Ekadashi, which are considered important days of Bada Dashain. Radiology, laboratory and inpatient services will also operate regularly during the period, he said. “Chitwan Medical College will continue providing services during Dashain. We want everyone to remain healthy, but if you fall ill or experience any health problems, please visit the hospital. We are ready to provide treatment,” Dr. Dev said.
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