KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Three dead in jet boat accident in Saptakoshi River
Three people died when a jet boat carrying 14 passengers from Kopche in Bhojpur district to Barahakshetra in Sunsari district crashed into the embankment of the Saptakoshi River. Some passengers were also injured in the accident, according to Anil Pariyar, chief of the Triveni Police Post. The accident occurred when the boat’s engine suddenly stopped while it was navigating the river. Unable to manoeuvre against the strong current, the boat drifted into the riverbank embankment and crashed into it. According to passengers, the boat sank shortly after hitting the embankment. Local residents and security personnel launched a rescue operation and pulled injured passengers to safety. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Further details about the accident are awaited.
Govt plans advanced weather monitoring and early warning systems
The government has released two white papers aimed at strengthening the water resources and meteorological sectors. The Center of Hydrology and Water Resources Research under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology separately released the white papers on Sunday. The documents provide guidelines for the sustainable use of Nepal’s water resources, the construction of climate-resilient infrastructure, aviation safety and disaster risk reduction. They also emphasize protecting the lives and property of citizens through the use of modern technology, open data systems and scientific research.
Nepal exports electricity worth Rs 5.92 billion to India in Asoj
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) exported electricity worth more than Rs. 5.92 billion to India in Asoj (mid-September to mid-October). Electricity exports increased in Asoj despite disruptions to hydropower generation caused by the August 26 flood disaster, which had temporarily halted power exports. NEA Executive Director Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha said electricity exports rebounded in Asoj despite the earlier disruption in supply. Nearly two-thirds of the total electricity exported to India was supplied under bilateral power trade agreements. Meanwhile, Nepal resumed exporting 40 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Bangladesh through the Indian transmission network.
NPL: Sudurpaschim Royals sign West Indies all-rounder Fabian Allen
Sudurpaschim Royals have signed West Indies all-rounder Fabian Allen for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). The franchise officially announced his signing on Sunday. Sudurpaschim Royals CEO Prakash Khadka said Allen’s arrival would further strengthen the team’s spin bowling and lower-order batting. “Fabian Allen is an experienced T20 player. We are confident that his all-round ability will strengthen the team. We expect the team to benefit from his ability to play spin bowling and bat aggressively, especially in the lower order,” Khadka said. The 31-year-old Allen is known for his left-arm spin and aggressive batting. He has represented the West Indies in 20 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 42 T20 Internationals. Sudurpaschim Royals also signed another West Indies player, Sherfane Rutherford, on Saturday.
4.2 magnitude earthquake hits Baitadi
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck Baitadi district on Sunday afternoon, with its epicentre at Airigaon. Rajesh Sharma, a seismologist at the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, said the earthquake occurred at 1:06 pm. The tremor was felt in remote villages across the district, prompting residents to take note of the seismic activity. Baitadi lies in Nepal’s seismically active western Himalayan region, where earthquakes occur due to the ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
NPL champions to receive Rs. 15 million in prize money
The winners of the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) will receive Rs. 15 million in prize money, an increase of Rs. 4 million from the previous edition. The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced the revised prize money at a press conference in Kathmandu on Sunday. According to CAN Treasurer Padam Bahadur Khadka, the runners-up will receive Rs. 8 million, while the teams finishing third and fourth will take home Rs. 4 million and Rs. 3 million, respectively. In the previous edition, Lumbini Lions received Rs. 11 million after winning the title. CAN expressed confidence that the increased prize money would enhance the tournament’s competitiveness and commercial appeal.
Kojagrat Purnima observed today
Nepali Hindus are observing Kojagrat Purnima today, marking the conclusion of the 15-day Bada Dashain festival with prayers and rituals dedicated to Goddess Mahalaxmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. On this occasion, devotees worship Mahalaxmi in the evening and stay awake throughout the night as part of a longstanding religious tradition. According to popular belief, Goddess Mahalaxmi roams the world on the night of Kojagrat Purnima to see who remains awake. Those who keep vigil are believed to receive her blessings and prosperity, said Dr Purushottam Bhattarai, chairperson of the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee. Kojagrat Purnima also marks the formal conclusion of Dashain’s Tika and Jamara rituals. The Jamara grown and consecrated at the Dashain Ghar and Kot on Ghatasthapana is disposed of according to religious customs.
Gold price plunges by Rs 11,700 per tola in Nepali market
The prices of gold and silver fell sharply in the Nepali market on Sunday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Associations, the price of gold dropped by Rs 11,700 per tola to Rs 278,500. Previously, on Monday (October 19), the price of gold had risen by Rs 500 per tola to Rs 290,200. The new gold price was announced today after no new rates were published during the Dashain holiday. Similarly, the price of silver fell by Rs 230 per tola to Rs 3,955 on Sunday. Last Monday, silver was traded at Rs 4,185 per tola.
Husband and wife found dead in Dhanusha
A husband and wife have been found dead in Mathileshwor, Mithila Bihari Municipality-3, in Dhanusha district. Rina Devi Yadav, 30, who had been staying at her maternal home, was found with a sharp weapon wound to her neck. Police suspect that she may have been murdered. Her husband, Umesh Yadav, 35, was found hanging from a tree about one kilometre from her home this morning, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Khanal, spokesperson for the District Police Office, Dhanusha. Umesh, a resident of Bharatpur, Mithila Bihari Municipality-4, had returned home from foreign employment only a few days earlier. He had arrived at his in-laws’ home just a day before the incident.
Adaptation Fund’s approval of three Nepali projects a milestone: Minister Chaudhary
Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment Geeta Chaudhary has described the approval of three Nepali projects by the Adaptation Fund as a milestone in addressing climate-induced disasters and strengthening the country’s climate adaptation capacity. The 47th meeting of the Adaptation Fund Board endorsed three projects proposed by the Nepal government to strengthen the country’s resilience to climate change. “At a time when demand for climate adaptation financing is rising and the Adaptation Fund is facing budgetary constraints, the approval of these three projects is a significant achievement,” Chaudhary said. She said the funding would help Nepal address climate-related challenges, reduce environmental losses and strengthen adaptation efforts.
RSP MP Khagendra Sunar denies controversial audio
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Khagendra Sunar has submitted a written response to the party’s disciplinary commission, denying that he is the person heard in a controversial audio recording allegedly featuring a conversation between him and a woman. Sunar told the investigation committee formed by the disciplinary commission that the voice in the recording was not his. A member of the disciplinary commission and coordinator of the investigation committee confirmed that Sunar had submitted the written response. According to party sources, Sunar has denied the allegation and said the voice is not his. The letter also elaborates on the issues he raised on social media.
Dashain return rush intensifies traffic pressure at Kathmandu Valley entry points
Passengers who left Kathmandu Valley to celebrate Dashain with their families have begun returning in large numbers, leading to increased traffic pressure at the Valley’s major entry points. According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, traffic congestion has increased along several key road sections, including Nagdhunga–Kalanki, Jadibuti–Koteshwor, Jagati in Bhaktapur, and Dakshinkali–Pharping, as the number of returning passengers and vehicles continues to rise. With the post-Dashain return rush gaining momentum, traffic police have intensified road monitoring and management efforts to ensure smoother traffic movement, ease congestion, and reduce the risk of road accidents. Around 1,000 vehicles, including private cars, jeeps, motorcycles, and small and large public transport vehicles, are reportedly entering the Valley daily through its major entry points.
President Paudel pays homage to Nawadurga on Kojagrat Purnima
President Ram Chandra Paudel visited the Nawadurga Temple in Bhaktapur on Sunday on the occasion of Kojagrat Purnima, the final day of the Bada Dashain festival, and paid homage to the Hindu deities. After performing special puja dedicated to Nawadurga, the President received tika and prasad from the temple’s chief priest, Indra Bahadur Banmala. Ramesh Karmacharya assisted the President in performing the Sankalpa Puja dedicated to Nawadurga. Following the rituals, the President offered money to 28 Devaganas, including the priests, as part of the religious tradition.
470 vehicles face action for traffic rule violations in Kathmandu Valley
Action was taken against 470 vehicles for violating traffic rules in the Kathmandu Valley on Saturday, according to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office. Office spokesperson Superintendent of Police Naresh Raj Subedi said action was taken against 99 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol, 40 for using CCTV cameras while driving, and 37 for running red lights. Similarly, 115 drivers faced action for speeding, nine for honking unnecessarily, two for violating lane discipline, and seven for driving against one-way traffic. Action was taken against another 161 drivers for other traffic violations, the office said.
Power supply restored in disaster-hit areas of Myagdi
Electricity supply has been restored in areas of Myagdi affected by floods and landslides. The Nepal Electricity Authority’s (NEA) distribution centres in Beni and Tatopani restored power by repairing transmission and distribution infrastructure damaged by the disasters. According to Satya Narayan Gami, chief of the NEA’s Beni Distribution Centre, electricity supply in the remaining affected areas was expected to be restored within two to three days. NEA employees and workers continued repair work until late at night in Paudwar, Giwang and Kindu despite the ongoing festival season. “In some areas, we have resumed electricity supply through alternative arrangements. Work is underway to repair the damaged infrastructure and make the supply more reliable and systematic,” Gami said.
Agricultural zones boost commercial farming in Tanahun
The area under commercial vegetable and rice cultivation is expanding in Tanahun, with thousands of farmers benefiting from the vegetable and rice zones implemented under the National Agriculture Modernization Program. According to Purna Dhungana, senior agricultural development officer at the Program Implementation Unit of the National Agriculture Modernization Program in Gorkha, the area under vegetable cultivation has increased by 218 hectares since the vegetable zone was launched in Tanahun, while the area under rice cultivation has expanded by 85 hectares since the introduction of the rice zone. The vegetable zone program was launched in Tanahun in the fiscal year 2075/76. Initially covering 505 hectares, the zone now spans 723 hectares, marking an increase of 218 hectares in the area under vegetable cultivation. Similarly, the rice zone program was introduced in the fiscal year 2079/80 BS. The area covered by the program has grown from an initial 500 hectares to 585 hectares, expanding the area under rice cultivation by 85 hectares.
Pedestrian dies after being hit by scooter in Udaypur
A pedestrian died after being struck by a scooter at Sangam Tole in Triyuga Municipality-11, Udayapur district, last evening. The deceased has been identified as Ram Bahadur Karki, who was hit by a scooter (State 3-02-012 P 4822) travelling from Inar Chowk towards Pipalchowk. According to District Police Chief Superintendent of Police Rajan Chapagain, Karki sustained critical injuries in the collision and was rushed to the district hospital for treatment. However, doctors declared him dead upon examination. Police have taken the scooter rider, Dilip KC, into custody in connection with the incident for further investigation.
Bagmati River Cleanup Campaign continues
The Bagmati River Cleanup Campaign, launched under the slogan “Volunteer for the Nation for Two Hours a Week,” continued on Saturday with its 702nd weekly cleanup drive. The cleanup was carried out along the Bagmati River and its banks in front of Guheshwori Temple. Campaigner Kishor Singh Shahi said the drive focused on removing waste generated by the immersion of Durga Puja idols in the river during Dashain. Idols worshipped during Nava Durga had been placed along the riverbanks. During the campaign, biodegradable waste was buried along the banks, while non-biodegradable waste was collected and transported by truck for proper management, Shahi said.
Rs. 1.25 million collected from traffic enforcement in Karnali in 12 days
Traffic enforcement in Karnali Province has generated Rs. 1.25 million in revenue over 12 days, with 1,338 vehicles being penalised for traffic violations. According to Hari Bahadur BC, information officer and deputy superintendent of police at the Nepal Police Highway Safety and Traffic Management Office in Surkhet, the revenue was collected from vehicles taken into action between Asoj 26 and Kartik 26. Surkhet recorded the highest revenue, collecting Rs. 582,000 from 638 vehicles. BC said the amount was collected primarily from vehicles driven by people under the influence of alcohol. The office reported that Rs. 218,500 was collected from 222 vehicles in Salyan, Rs. 145,000 from 127 vehicles in Rukum West, Rs. 94,000 from 99 vehicles in Dailekh, Rs. 73,000 from 67 vehicles in Jumla and Rs. 61,500 from 68 vehicles in Jajarkot.
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