KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Narayanghat-Muglin Highway to close after 10 pm amid landslide risk
Local authorities have announced that vehicular movement along the Narayanghat-Muglin Highway and the Chitwan section of the Prithvi Highway will be suspended from 10:00 pm on Sunday due to the risk of landslides. The District Administration Office said the decision was taken in view of increased landslide risks in several areas of Chitwan and neighboring districts, including Dhading. In a notice issued by Chief District Officer Ganesh Aryal, the administration said night-time traffic has been suspended to minimize the risk of accidents and other incidents during adverse weather conditions.
Madhav Nepal falls ill, Prachanda-Gagan talks postponed
Talks between Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Nepali Congress leader Gagan Thapa on possible provincial power-sharing have been postponed after NCP Co-Coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal fell ill. Prachanda, who returned from a visit to Sri Lanka on Sunday, had planned to meet Madhav Nepal to develop a common position on provincial government cooperation before holding discussions with Thapa. According to Prachanda’s press adviser Govinda Acharya, the meeting was postponed after Madhav Nepal developed a fever and was advised to rest at home.
Congress dissident faction to hold national gathering in Kathmandu within mid-August
A dissident faction of the Nepali Congress has decided to organize a national gathering in Kathmandu within the month of Shrawan (mid-August), signaling growing internal divisions within the party. At a press conference held in Chundevi on Friday, leaders of the faction said the gathering aims to chart the party’s future policy direction through a broader national debate and discussion. “We have concluded that a national gathering should be held in Kathmandu within Shrawan to determine a new policy direction through national-level discussions while strengthening unity within the party and safeguarding the freedom and rights of the Nepali people,” said Min Bishwakarma, coordinator of the publicity committee representing the group advocating for a regular general convention.
Bagmati River rises above warning level, residents urged to remain alert
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) has urged residents living along the Bagmati River and in flood-prone areas to remain on high alert after the river’s water level at the Gaurighat monitoring station exceeded the warning threshold. The department has advised people in riverside and inundation-prone areas to exercise heightened caution until Monday morning. According to the DHM, the Bagmati River reached a water level of 2.41 metres at Gaurighat, surpassing the warning level of 2.1 metres. As the river continues to rise, authorities have urged residents in low-lying areas along the river to remain vigilant.
Nagdhunga Tunnel to open in phases, emergency vehicles to get first access
The Sisnekhola-Nagdhunga Tunnel will initially be opened only to emergency vehicles, including ambulances, when it comes into operation, with other categories of vehicles to be allowed in phases. The 2.688-kilometre tunnel project is targeted to begin operations in the second week of Shrawan. During the trial phase, vehicles will be permitted to use the tunnel in a phased manner. “In the first phase, only emergency vehicles such as ambulances will be allowed. Cars, vans, other light vehicles, buses and trucks will be permitted gradually,” said Soujanya Nepal, director of the Sisnekhola-Nagdhunga Tunnel Project.
Rabi Lamichhane, Swarnim Wagle hold meeting at Kavre resort amid political speculation
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane and Deputy Chair and Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle met at a resort in Kavre on Saturday, sparking speculation over the purpose of their meeting. Lamichhane, accompanied by his wife Nikita Poudel Lamichhane, visited Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort in Dhulikhel, while Wagle arrived separately with leaders close to him. Although the two leaders reached the resort at different times, they reportedly held a lengthy discussion. Wagle is said to have invested in the resort, and party leaders have described the visit as a weekend family outing. However, some RSP leaders believe the meeting may also have included discussions on the country’s evolving political situation and developments within the government.
Police arrest two with narcotic drugs after opening fire in Kuleshwor
Police arrested two people, including an Indian national, after opening fire during an anti-narcotics operation in Kuleshwor, Kathmandu, on Sunday afternoon. A team from the Narcotics Control Bureau led by Inspector Rakesh Yadav fired two rounds near the Kuleshwor Bridge before apprehending the suspects. The two arrested are an Indian citizen and a Nepali national, police said. Authorities also recovered a large quantity of pharmaceutical narcotic drugs from the suspects. Further investigation into the case is underway.
Govt restricts vehicle movement amid monsoon risks
The government has decided that vehicles will be allowed to operate in areas affected by monsoon-related disasters only after authorities assess the prevailing risk, amid growing concerns over floods, landslides and inundation. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has intensified its preparedness after the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in 21 districts across the country. Acting Chief Executive Officer Pradeep Kumar Koirala said the decision was taken to ensure public safety, particularly on road sections vulnerable to landslides and flooding. “Considering the prevailing risk, we had requested that vehicles not be operated in districts prone to landslides,” Koirala said. “Today as well, vehicle movement will be permitted only after assessing the actual weather and road conditions.”
Three-party provincial govt sans opp’n unacceptable: Gagan Thapa
Nepali Congress (NC) President Gagan Thapa has said that any proposal to form a three-party government in provincial governments without an opposition is unacceptable. Addressing a program in Kathmandu on Sunday, Thapa said a strong opposition is a fundamental pillar of democracy and that a system without an opposition goes against democratic values and norms. He said both the government and the opposition are essential components of a democratic governance system, adding that the practice of all political parties joining the government would weaken the system of people’s representation. Thapa warned that any political arrangement aimed at eliminating the opposition in the name of forming or restructuring provincial governments would harm the democratic system.
Gold, silver prices rise in domestic market
Gold and silver prices increased in the domestic market today compared to Friday, the last trading day of the previous week. The price of gold rose by Rs 1,900 per tola (11.66 grammes) on the first trading day of the week, while silver gained Rs 40 per tola to reach Rs 4,240 per tola, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. The price of hallmark gold has been fixed at Rs 284,000 per tola today, up from Rs 282,100 per tola on Friday. According to international media reports, gold is trading at US$4,031 per ounce, while silver is priced at US$56 per ounce.
Rain disrupts highways, some roads closed during night hours
Continuous rainfall has affected several highways across the country, with floods and landslides disrupting traffic movement. Some road sections have been completely blocked, while nighttime travel restrictions have been imposed on others due to safety concerns. According to Nepal Police, vehicle movement on the Khurkot-Nepalthok-Katunjebesi section of the BP Highway, which connects Kavrepalanchok and Sindhuli districts, has been restricted from 6:00 pm to 4:00 am every day until further notice due to the risk of floods. Vehicles are allowed to operate on the section from 4:00 am to 6:00 pm. Similarly, all types of vehicles have been prohibited from operating on the Kanti Lokpath from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am until further notice. Traffic movement on the Mechi Highway in Rajduwali, Ilam Municipality-9, has also been halted after the road became muddy following rainfall.
We will not repeat past mistakes for power: Gagan Thapa
Nepali Congress (NC) President Gagan Thapa has said the party will not repeat past mistakes for the sake of power, stressing that coalition politics should not undermine democratic principles. Speaking at the unveiling of a statue of veteran leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and the inauguration of the 44th BP Memorial Week in Lalitpur on Sunday, Thapa said provincial governments should not be formed in a way that leaves the provincial assembly without an effective opposition. “When three parties come together to form a government, the provincial assembly is left without an opposition,” he said. “That goes against the people’s mandate, and the Nepali Congress will categorically reject such a proposal.” Thapa said the emergence of a new generation of leaders and their meaningful participation in the party is inevitable.
Landslide blocks Pokhara’s Seti river
A landslide triggered by continuous rainfall has blocked the Seti River in Pokhara. The landslide occurred after river erosion affected the Ratophairoma area along the border of Pokhara Metropolitan City-15 and 17, obstructing the river’s flow. Following reports of the incident, a team comprising Kaski Chief District Officer Kuman Singh Gurung, Kaski District Police Office Chief SP Nabin Karki, and Deputy Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, Manju Devi Gurung reached the site on Sunday morning to inspect the situation. The river water has not been able to flow freely due to the landslide. Deputy Mayor Gurung said the water level has risen by around 50 meters above the point where the landslide blocked the river.
CNP records rise in tourist arrivals, collects over Rs 270 million in revenue
Tourist arrivals at Chitwan National Park (CNP) and its buffer zone community forests increased in the last fiscal year compared to the previous fiscal year. According to Abinash Thapa Magar, information officer at the park, a total of 272,923 tourists visited the area in the last fiscal year, up from 231,329 visitors in the previous fiscal year. Among the visitors, 22,883 were from SAARC countries and 88,665 were from other foreign countries. Tourists visit the park to observe one-horned rhinoceroses, leopards, bears, elephants, and various species of birds. The park collected Rs 276.339 million in revenue from ecotourism during the last fiscal year. It also generated Rs 311.64 million from the sale of timber, non-timber forest products, fines, and other sources.
Finance Committee discusses Bill to Amend Nepal Rastra Bank Act
The Finance Committee of the House of Representatives held discussions with representatives of relevant stakeholders on the bill to amend the Nepal Rastra Bank Act, 2058 BS. In today’s committee meeting, discussions were held with officials from the Nepal Bankers’ Association and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry regarding the proposed amendment bill, according to committee secretary Laxman Aryal. Representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and Nepal Rastra Bank also participated in the discussion.
Madhes govt plans Investment Summit to boost economic activities
The Madhes Province government has moved forward with plans to organize an investment summit to boost economic activities and increase the province’s contribution to the national gross domestic product (GDP), which currently stands at around 13 percent. The provincial government has prioritized expanding economic activities, increasing production, and encouraging private sector investment to unlock the province’s economic potential. Despite having abundant natural resources, fertile agricultural land, a large labour force, and opportunities for cross-border trade, Madhes Province has yet to fully harness its economic prospects. Considering this, the government has introduced programmes focused on expanding productive sectors, promoting industrialization, and attracting investment.
NCP Coordinator Prachanda returns home from Sri Lanka
Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ returned home today after participating in the Asian Dialogue programme organized in Sri Lanka. During his visit, Dahal addressed the ‘Hands of Asia’ international conference organized by the International People’s Assembly as the keynote speaker. In the inaugural session of the conference, Coordinator Dahal shared his views on shifts in the global balance of power, challenges posed by imperialism and neoliberalism, experiences of people’s movements in South Asia, and the political framework of socialism in the 21st century, according to his personal secretariat.
NMB Bank collaborates with DoIT for Nagarik App integration
NMB Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Information Technology (DoIT), Government of Nepal, to enable Secure, Consent-Based Data Exchange through the government’s Nagarik App platform. This has paved way for a much simpler and quicker digital banking experience. Through this new partnership, NMB Bank customers will soon be able to securely autofill their verified personal details directly into online banking application forms using the Nagarik App. This means no more repetitive manual typing, less paperwork, and dramatically faster processing times for everyday banking services.
Traffic affected by muddy conditions on Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road
Traffic movement along the Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road, Nepal’s busiest northern trade gateway with China, has been affected due to muddy conditions caused by the ongoing road upgrade and the monsoon rains. Hundreds of freight vehicles enter Nepal daily from Kerung, while Nepali goods are exported through the same route. To improve the road’s capacity and ensure safer transportation, construction of a modern two-lane road is underway. Sections of the road were washed away by last year’s floods, which also damaged retaining walls and heightened the risk of landslides. In response, the Chinese government has undertaken reconstruction and upgrading works aimed at ensuring the road’s long-term safety and reliability. The project includes widening the road, constructing new retaining walls and culverts, and installing landslide mitigation structures.
Tulsipur Sub-metropolis blacktops 15 km of roads in a year
Tulsipur Sub-metropolitan City has blacktopped 15 kilometres of roads during the last fiscal year. According to the Sub-metropolitan City Office, road sections including a two-kilometre stretch from Charbato Chowk in Ward No. 4, Rakshachaur, to Eklebor; a 559-metre section from Basota to Matera; and a two-kilometre section from the Rapti Highway to Pilibot have been blacktopped. Similarly, 9,958 metres of paved drains, three ward office buildings, an additional floor on a health post building, an eight-room secondary school building, and a two-room primary school building have been constructed. During the same fiscal year, a well-managed marketplace and the Ratamata irrigation canal were also completed.
Smooth supply of chemical fertilizers assured in Lahan
The Lahan-based Krishi Samagri Company Limited (KSCL) in Siraha has stated that it has sufficient stocks of chemical fertilizers to ensure a smooth supply to farmers. The company supplied 16,840.37 metric tons of chemical fertilizers during the last fiscal year. Its current stock includes 55.60 metric tons of urea, 219.65 metric tons of DAP, 86.65 metric tons of potash, and 78.77 metric tons of agricultural lime. According to office chief Chewan Khadka, the supply of fertilizers has been ensured without disruption. He said farmers would receive fertilizers and other agricultural inputs on time during the current season, adding that the availability of these resources is expected to contribute to increased agricultural production in the district.
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