KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Bhotekoshi flood death toll rises to 752
The death toll from the Bhotekoshi flood has risen to 752, while 2,502 people remain missing, according to the latest government figures. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said 752 bodies had been recovered from various areas along the river as of 1 pm Sunday. Chitwan has recorded the highest number of recovered bodies. The number of bodies recovered in the affected districts includes 13 in Rasuwa, 52 in Nuwakot, 50 in Dhading, 58 in Gorkha, 184 in Nawalparasi East, 100 in Nawalparasi West and 36 in Tanahun.
PM Balendra Shah says government committed to protecting every citizen’s life
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has said the government is firmly working to protect citizens and manage the aftermath of the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers, despite challenges in search, rescue and relief operations. In a social media statement on Sunday, the fifth day since the floods, Shah said adverse weather, difficult terrain and continuing risks had made it challenging to assess the full extent of the loss of life, property and infrastructure. “For the past five days, our country has been facing an unimaginable and heartbreaking natural disaster,” he said. “Although the work is challenging due to adverse weather, difficult geography and continuing risks, we are moving forward with determination to protect the lives of our citizens.”
Alternative routes used to supply gas and petroleum to Kathmandu after Krishnabhir road blocked
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has arranged alternative routes to maintain the supply of LPG gas and petroleum products to Kathmandu Valley and surrounding districts after the Krishnabhir section of the Prithvi Highway was blocked by a massive flood in the Trishuli River. The road section in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality-7 of Dhading was obstructed on Sunday after the river eroded the road. Following the disruption, the NOC held discussions with LPG gas industry operators and made special arrangements to maintain supplies and address transportation difficulties.
Trishuli flood sweeps away bridge linking Gorkha and Prithvi Highway
A flood in the Trishuli River on Sunday swept away a suspension bridge connecting Ghyalchok of Gandaki Rural Municipality-8 in Gorkha with Charaundi along the Prithvi Highway. According to local resident Binod Naharki, the bridge collapsed and was swept away at around 11:30 am after being battered by floodwaters for nearly three hours. The loss of the bridge has made it difficult for residents of Gandaki Rural Municipality wards 7 and 8 to cross the Trishuli River and reach the highway. The bridge was also a major route for around 400 farming households in Ghyalschok to transport vegetables and milk to the agricultural cooperative in Charaundi.
Nepal Telecom restores mobile services up to Nepal-China border
Nepal Telecom has restored mobile services at seven additional locations in flood-affected areas, bringing most mobile BTS sites in the affected regions back into operation. The sites restored on Sunday include the Rasuwa Border site located along the Nepal-China border, as well as Upper Sengen, Chhapthoke, Jipjipe and Gatlang sites in Rasuwa, according to Nepal Telecom. Similarly, the Charghare and Charghare Mulabari BTS sites in Nuwakot have also resumed operations.
Betrawati survivors: ‘We never imagined the flood would sweep everything away’
Helicopters continue to fly over the skies of Nuwakot as the devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river system leaves roads connecting one market to another severely damaged. Reaching Betrawati, which is normally easily accessible, has itself become a challenge following the flood. Betrawati, an important junction along the Trishuli River connecting Nuwakot and Rasuwa, was a busy market filled with people and vehicles until five days ago. Within minutes, however, a massive flood completely transformed the familiar landscape. Where houses once stood, there are now piles of stones, mud, debris and wreckage carried by the floodwaters. Some structures are partially collapsed, while household goods and other structures swept away from elsewhere are scattered across the area.
Rabi Lamichhane steps up coordination with local governments after flood response concerns
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has stepped up efforts to coordinate with local and provincial governments four days after floods hit several districts, amid growing concerns over a lack of coordination among the three tiers of government. On Sunday, Lamichhane held telephone conversations with elected representatives from flood-hit Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading. During the conversations, local government representatives complained that the federal government had failed to coordinate effectively in rescue and relief operations. They also raised concerns that chief district officers and security officials had not responded adequately to requests from local governments.
Rabi Lamichhane tells RSP lawmakers not to visit flood-hit areas as tourists
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chair Rabi Lamichhane has instructed party lawmakers not to visit flood-hit Rasuwa and Nuwakot merely as tourists. Lamichhane issued the directive after RSP lawmakers were seen visiting flood-affected areas, including on government helicopters, prompting criticism over their conduct. Lawmakers Reema Bishwakarma, Sagar Dhakal, Badan Bhandari and Jwala Sangraula faced criticism on social media after they were seen touring the affected areas. Amid growing criticism of their activities, Lamichhane received a briefing on the post-flood situation at the party’s central office on Sunday and issued instructions to the lawmakers.
20 unidentified bodies buried in Nawalpur following Bhotekoshi floods
Authorities have begun burying unidentified bodies washed up along the Narayani River in Nawalpur East following the devastating Bhotekoshi floods. The burial process was initiated after the number of recovered bodies exceeded the capacity of both permanent and temporary morgues. Authorities said the bodies are being managed in accordance with scientific procedures based on standards set by the International Committee of the Red Cross. On Sunday, 20 bodies kept at Madhyabindu Provincial Hospital were buried after DNA samples were collected, identification numbers assigned and the necessary procedures completed.
Rabi Lamichhane begins talks with local leaders over flood response four days after disaster
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chair Rabi Lamichhane has begun discussions with local representatives from flood- and landslide-affected areas of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading, four days after the disaster. Lamichhane held telephone conversations with local government chiefs on Sunday and pledged to immediately coordinate with the federal government on rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts. From the RSP central office, Lamichhane spoke with chairpersons of local governments affected by the devastating floods and landslides of Bhadra 10. Senior party leaders also participated in the discussions.
Rescue team reaches Trishuli-3A tunnel, but receives no response from inside
Rescue efforts for workers and engineers trapped inside the Upper Trishuli-3A Hydropower Project tunnel have made progress, with a joint rescue team reaching the tunnel’s main section. Nepali Army engineers have carried out drilling and blasting operations to establish access to the tunnel. A 90-member joint team, comprising 66 Nepali Army personnel, a specialised search and rescue team with trained dogs, 18 Armed Police Force personnel and six Nepal Police personnel, has been deployed at the site. The team reached the tunnel’s crown head at around 2 pm on Sunday and created an opening measuring approximately 2 by 3 feet.
Stranded Nepalis in Kerung to be brought home via alternative route: Foreign Minister Khanal
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has said that Nepali citizens stranded in Kerung, China, due to the Bhotekoshi floods will be brought back to Nepal through an alternative route. Khanal, who visited the flood-affected area of Dhunge in Bidur Municipality-1 on Sunday, said that around 1,000 Nepalis were believed to be stranded in Kerung based on preliminary information. “We have received information that around 1,000 Nepalis are in Kerung. We will bring them back to Nepal through an alternative route,” he said.
Food distribution begins in flood-hit Rasuwa
The government has begun distributing essential food items, including rice, pulses, salt and cooking oil, to survivors of the Bhotekoshi flash floods in Rasuwa. The relief supplies were transported by helicopter to the affected areas on Saturday morning. According to the District Administration Office, Rasuwa, 15 quintals of food items were delivered to flood-hit areas in three helicopter flights. Additional supplies are also being prepared for dispatch to the affected areas. The flash floods swept away major roads and bridges in the district, leaving many affected communities in urgent need of food and other essentials.
Nepali Army rescue 183 more people from Rasuwa
Nepali Army helicopters rescued 183 people stranded by the floods in Rasuwa on Sunday morning. According to the Nepal Army, 183 people, including four Chinese nationals, had been evacuated from the Timure, Dhunche and Hakubesi areas by 11 am. Meanwhile, a team of 93 experts, along with drilling machines, excavators, hydraulic cutters and other equipment, has been deployed to the Trishuli-3 Hydropower project site since Bhadra 12 to rescue people believed to be trapped inside the project tunnel.
Two Chinese planes arrive in Kathmandu with relief supplies
Two Chinese military cargo planes landed in Kathmandu on Sunday morning carrying relief supplies for victims of the Bhotekoshi floods. Minister for Innovation Mahabir Pun received the relief supplies from Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming. China has provided 13,200 relief items for flood victims, including tarpaulins, blankets, sleeping bags, compressed dry food and first-aid kits. The supplies weigh around 50 tonnes.
Upper Mustang glacier monitoring finds no immediate risk
On-site and drone-based monitoring has begun to assess potential glacier and flood risks in the high-mountain areas of Upper Mustang. Officials said no immediate signs of risk have been detected in the areas monitored so far. Following the Bhotekoshi flood, disaster risk assessment and preparedness efforts have been intensified in the high-mountain areas of Upper Mustang. In coordination with the District Administration Office, Mustang, a joint team comprising personnel from the Border Out Post (BOP) Nechung of the Armed Police Force Nepal, Nepal Police, the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Lomanthang, and the Conservation Area Management Committee is monitoring river sources and high-mountain areas along the Kaligandaki River system.
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