KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM Shah says disaster risk remains, urges public to stay alert
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has said the risk of disasters remains as floods, landslides, inundation, strong winds and lightning continue to affect various parts of the country. Issuing a public appeal, Shah urged people living along riverbanks and in hilly areas to remain highly alert. He also advised people to avoid travel unless necessary and to contact the toll-free number 1234 in case of an emergency. According to Shah, 21 people have died in various districts since Ashoj 8 due to lightning, floods, landslides, strong winds and continuous rainfall. Five people have been injured, while five others remain missing. Shah said there have also been reports of a person missing in an avalanche in Manang and that details are being collected.
Two bodies recovered from landslide in Ghiwang, two others rescued
The bodies of two people buried in a landslide in Ghiwang, Annapurna Rural Municipality-5, Myagdi, have been recovered following continuous rainfall. Two other people who were trapped in a landslide at Phagam in Dana, Annapurna Rural Municipality-3, were rescued alive, according to the District Administration Office. Assistant Chief District Officer Kul Prasad Acharya confirmed that the bodies of 75-year-old Siuk Kumari Garbuja and 56-year-old Domaya Garbuja were recovered from the landslide in Ghiwang. Meanwhile, approximately 35-year-old Kumari Wali BK died after being buried in a landslide at Chepare in Beni Municipality-3, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajan Karki of the District Police Office.
Landslide blocks Marsyangdi River, residents urged to remain alert
The flow of the Marsyangdi River has been affected after a landslide occurred in Chame of Manang. According to the District Administration Office, Manang, a landslide fell into the Marsyangdi River in Chame at around 7 pm Sunday, reducing the river’s flow. The administration said landslides were still occurring in the area, with reports of further landslides near the river as late as 7:45 pm. As the river is becoming increasingly blocked by the landslide, the administration has urged residents living along the Marsyangdi River and nearby corridor areas to remain highly alert due to the increased risk.
Mahakali River flow rises, disrupting cross-border travel
Cross-border travel between Nepal and India through the Gaddachowki border point in Kanchanpur has been affected after the water level in the Mahakali River rose due to continuous rainfall. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Tek Bahadur Rawat, spokesperson for the District Police Office, Kanchanpur, the river’s flow reached 175,700 cusecs as measured on Sunday. With the river flow rising, Indian authorities have restricted four-wheeled vehicles from using the Sharda Barrage, also known as the Banbasa Bridge. Only motorcycles and other small vehicles have been allowed to cross. The approximately 100-year-old Banbasa Bridge has been subject to restrictions on heavy vehicles whenever the Mahakali River’s flow exceeds 100,000 cusecs.
Human Rights Commission concerned after police block monitoring of former Chief Justice Rana
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed serious concern over the arrest of former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana by Nepal Police. The commission said a high-level monitoring team led by one of its members was stopped by police from meeting Rana and gathering information from him at the District Police Range, Teku, on Sunday. The monitoring team also contacted senior police officials, but was not provided with any explanation as to why it was prevented from meeting Rana and conducting the monitoring. The NHRC said Section 4(a) of the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2068 provides it with the legal authority to inspect and monitor public, private or other places as necessary and to issue recommendations or directions for the protection of human rights.
Deurali-Sisneri road closed as water level rises in Kulekhani reservoir
The Deurali-Sisneri road section will be closed to traffic from 4 pm Sunday as the water level in the Kulekhani reservoir continues to rise following continuous rainfall. Makwanpur Chief District Officer Basanta Adhikari said traffic in both directions would remain closed from 4 pm Sunday until 5 am Monday. He said the precautionary measure was taken as the reservoir level continues to rise and there could be a need to release water from the dam in an emergency during the night. “If vehicles are operating when the warning siren sounds, it could cause panic among drivers and passengers. Some sections of the road could also be at risk if water has to be released suddenly, so we decided to stop traffic in advance,” Adhikari said.
Kathmandu clears up after days of rain
The weather in the Kathmandu Valley has cleared after four consecutive days of rainfall. With sunshine appearing from the afternoon, daily life in the Valley has gradually returned to normal. Continuous rainfall had increased water levels in rivers and streams, including the Bagmati and Bishnumati, while roads and transportation services were also affected at various locations. As the weather improved, vehicle and pedestrian movement increased on the roads.
Narayangadh-Muglin road reopens, Prithvi Highway expected to resume today
The Narayangadh-Muglin road section has come into operation after a landslide and debris accumulated at the Namsi Khola bridge were cleared, allowing vehicles and transport services heading toward Pokhara to resume. According to the Road Division Office, Chitwan, a landslide carrying mud and debris fell at the site at 7:55 am. Information Officer Engineer Krishna Acharya said the road was reopened at around 12:15 pm. Vehicles and transport services traveling from Pokhara to Narayangadh and from Narayangadh to Pokhara are now moving toward their destinations. Meanwhile, continuous rainfall has blocked the Malekhu-Muglin section of the Prithvi Highway at 11 locations due to landslides. According to Engineer Sachindra Mishra, information officer of the western section of the Nagdhunga-Muglin Road Project, a landslide carrying mud and trees has fallen at Shitalbazar, while part of the roadside has also subsided.
Tunnel-based search, rescue operations most challenging: Nepali Army
The Nepali Army has described tunnel-based search and rescue operations as the most challenging aspect of the disaster response following the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods. Following extensive efforts, seven people were rescued alive from inside hydropower project tunnels. On September 4, the tenth day after the disaster, two people were rescued from the Trishuli-3A project. The rescue operation involved drilling machines, excavators, rock breakers, controlled blasting and oxygen pumps. A Chinese national trapped 225 metres underground in the audit tunnel of the Upper Trishuli-1 project was rescued with the help of a rubber boat and a thermal camera. Later, 37 bodies were recovered from the site.
Former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana sent home
The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office released former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana on Sunday afternoon. SSP Santosh Khadka, chief of the Valley Crime Investigation Office, confirmed Rana’s release. “We have already taken him to a safe place,” Khadka said. Earlier, a team from the Crime Investigation Office had taken Jabra into custody from his residence in Maharajgunj late Saturday night. However, the Crime Investigation Office said Jabra had not been arrested but taken to a police facility for his own safety after receiving information about a possible physical attack. Earlier today, the Criminal Investigation Office, Teku, denied entry to a team from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) that had gone to meet former Chief Justice Cholendra Shamsher Rana on Sunday.
Kaligandaki River washes away bridge
The swollen Kaligandaki River has swept away a motorable bridge along the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road section. The bridge connects Naulibagar of Bhurung-Tatopani with Pokharebagar of Annapurna Rural Municipality–6. Annapurna Rural Municipality Chairperson Bharat Kumar Pun said that transportation to Mustang has been disrupted after the river swept away the bridge. A house was buried in Phagam and another in Giwang village in the district. A search is underway for two people reported missing in the landslide. The incessant rainfall has caused the Kaligandaki River to swell and erode the Khambhitta area along the Beni-Jomsom road. The rain-induced disaster has also damaged Nilgiri Basic School in Annapurna Rural Municipality–4.
Four killed in landslide in Baglung
Four members of the same family have died in a landslide in Baglung. According to District Police Office Chief Phanindra Prasai, Shyam Kumari BK of Nisi Khola Rural Municipality–3 and her three sons, Manoj, Mukesh and Nishan BK, died in the incident. The bodies of three of the victims were recovered a short while ago, police said.
Tinau River sweeps away six houses in Rupandehi
Six houses in Tapmajhuwa of Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City–11 were swept away by the swollen Tinau River today. Rupandehi Chief District Officer Janak Bahadur Shahi said two concrete houses and four mud-and-stone houses were washed away by the flooded river. No human casualties have been reported. Security personnel have been mobilized to relocate the affected families. Rainfall has continued in the area.
Flood risk rises across 50 districts, alert issued
Rivers and streams across Nepal are swelling, with flood and flash-flood risks reported in 50 districts and particularly high risks in 17 districts. The Flood Forecasting Division under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has warned of rising water levels in rivers and streams across the country on Sunday and urged people to remain highly alert. According to the Division, there is a moderate risk of flash floods in small rivers and streams in all three districts of Kathmandu Valley and more than 34 other districts across the Madhesh and hill regions. Similarly, a high risk of flash floods has been forecast in small rivers in 17 districts, mainly in Gandaki and Lumbini provinces and some parts of Bagmati Province.
Besisahar-Chame road blocked
The Besisahar-Chame road has been completely blocked following a landslide in Besisahar Municipality-6, Kharkhare Bhir, this morning. Gyanendra Bahadur Chhetri, information officer at the District Police Office, said around 200 meters of the road has been washed away just north of the landslide site. Ongoing rainfall has made it difficult to clear the landslide and carry out repair and maintenance work in the flood-affected areas.
Flood washes away bridge in Syangja’s Mirmi
Floodwaters in the Kaligandaki River have washed away a concrete motorable bridge connecting Mirmi in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-7, Syangja, with Harmichaur in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-1, Gulmi. Ramesh Dutta Awasthi, information officer at the District Police Office, Syangja, confirmed the bridge was swept away by the flood. Meanwhile, all gates of the Kaligandaki ‘A’ Hydropower Project in Mirmi have been opened due to heavy rainfall, forcing the project to halt electricity generation. Awasthi also said Setibeni Bazaar, located at the confluence of Syangja, Parbat and Gulmi districts, has been inundated.
Electricity restoration work accelerated in flood-affected areas
Efforts to restore electricity services in flood-affected areas are being carried out at a rapid pace, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). According to the NEA, the 33 kV line supplying Pyuthan from Arghakhanchi is expected to resume operation by 7 pm Sunday. This will restore electricity services to most areas of Pyuthan, including the district headquarters. Meanwhile, repair work is underway on a damaged conductor at Murkuti in Dang along the Lamahi-Jhimruk 132 kV transmission line. Although continuous rainfall has affected the repair work, the line is expected to resume operation by 10 pm Sunday. Once the 132 kV line is restored, electricity services will resume fully in Pyuthan and in Libang, the headquarters of Rolpa, and other eastern parts of the district.
Flood forces all Susta residents to safety across Narayani River
The residents of Susta have been evacuated and moved to safety after the flood in Narayani River in Chitwan entered their settlement. As incessant rainfall continues to swell water levels in the Narayani River the Susta folks were brought across the River. Floodwater entered and inundated the settlements including Tharu Tole and other areas at Susta rural municipality-5 in Nawalparashi west on last Friday. The Susta villagers were initially moved to shelters within Susta as the situation worsened, informed Deepakraj Nepal, Chief District Office (CDO) of Nawalparashi.
15 killed in disasters over four days
Fifteen people have died in floods, landslides and other disasters reported across the country over the past four days. According to Central Police Spokesperson Abinarayan Kafle, three people died in Bagmati Province, four in Lumbini, five in Gandaki, two in Karnali and one in Madhes Province. Four people were injured in disaster-related incidents and are receiving treatment at local hospitals. A total of 1,284 people affected by floods, landslides and inundation have been rescued. Kafle said security agencies, in coordination with local residents, are continuing efforts to relocate families living in flood and landslide-prone areas to safer locations and recover property buried in landslides.
Traffic completely halted on Narayani Bridge after cruise ship gets stuck underneath
Traffic on the Narayani Bridge has been completely halted after a cruise ship swept away by the flood became stuck underneath the bridge. The closure of the bridge linking Bharatpur in Chitwan with Gaindakot in Nawalpur has disrupted traffic along the East-West Highway. The cruise ship, which had been anchored about 100 meters upstream from the bridge, was swept away at around 5:30 pm Sunday and became lodged underneath the bridge.
Kaligandaki flood damages bridge linking Baglung and Parbat, traffic halted
A bridge linking Baglung and Parbat districts has been damaged by severe flooding in the Kaligandaki River, bringing traffic to a complete halt. The eastern pillar of the Maldhunga Bridge was damaged after the flood altered the river’s course, reportedly due to ongoing extraction of materials from the Kaligandaki River. The bridge had already been at risk after the river eroded the riverbank about a month ago. The affected section had been covered with a tarpaulin after the river eroded the land around the bridge. The bridge was further damaged on Sunday morning, bringing all movement across it to a halt. The bridge lies along the Mid-Hill Highway, a national pride project, and the disruption has affected thousands of passengers who use the route daily.
Narayani River reaches highest water level on record
The water level in the Narayani River reached 11.94 meters on Sunday, the highest level recorded since measurements began, according to the Narayani Basin Field Office in Bharatpur. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the river reached 11.94 meters at 2:10 pm at the water measurement station in Devghat. The warning level for the Narayani River is 7.30 meters, while the danger level is 9 meters. The water level had fallen to 11.75 meters by 3:40 pm. Although the level is declining, it remains well above the danger level. Sumit Adhikari, chief hydrologist at the Narayani Basin Field Office, said Sunday’s measurement was the highest recorded since water-level monitoring began on the river. He said the water level could fluctuate further as rainfall continues in the hills.
Deurali-Sisneri road closed as water level rises in Kulekhani reservoir
The Deurali-Sisneri road section will be closed to traffic from 4 pm Sunday as the water level in the Kulekhani reservoir continues to rise following continuous rainfall. Makwanpur Chief District Officer Basanta Adhikari said traffic in both directions would remain closed from 4 pm Sunday until 5 am Monday. He said the precautionary measure was taken as the reservoir level continues to rise and there could be a need to release water from the dam in an emergency during the night. “If vehicles are operating when the warning siren sounds, it could cause panic among drivers and passengers. Some sections of the road could also be at risk if water has to be released suddenly, so we decided to stop traffic in advance,” Adhikari said.
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