Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Heavy overnight rains cause flooding in Kathmandu
Heavy overnight rains have resulted in flooding in various parts of Kathmandu. The Narefat area in Kathmandu Metropolitan City is submerged, and corridor roads in the Manoharakhola and Dobhan areas of Hanumante have been obstructed. The Manohara Corridor has been completely inundated. Additionally, the floods have damaged various locations in Lalitpur’s Mahalaxmi Municipality. The Weather Forecasting Division has issued an alert via mobile messaging, stating that the water level of the Godawari River has exceeded the danger level and continues to rise. Residents are advised to remain on high alert due to the risk of flooding in coastal areas.
55 people disappear in Trishuli River in 8 years
As many as 55 individuals have gone missing after 21 vehicles fell into the Trishuli River along the Narayangadh-Muglin road and the Muglin-Mowakhola section of the Prithvi Highway in the past eight years. Among the missing was former Home Minister Madhav Prasad Ghimire. According to the District Traffic Police Office, in the year 2015/16, five vehicles fell into the river, leading to 14 people going missing. The following year, 2016/17, saw four vehicles involved, and another four vehicles were reported in 2017/18. There was one vehicle accident each in the years 2018/19, 2019/20, and 2021/22. In 2022/23, four people went missing from one vehicle, and in 2023/24, five vehicles were involved, resulting in 37 people disappearing. Over this period, there were a total of 66 vehicle accidents on these road sections.
One person dies after being swept away by Balkhu river flood
A flood in the Balkhu River in Kathmandu has claimed one life. The police discovered the body under the Balkhu bridge, identifying the deceased as Ramswarup Mahatto, 45, from Banke. According to Dinesh Raj Mainali, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, Mahatto was swept away by the floodwaters. The police have contacted the victim’s family, and preparations are underway to hand over the body.
Gold price up by Rs 1,800 per tola today
The price of gold in the domestic market increased by Rs 1,800 per tola today. According to the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, fine gold is now priced at Rs 147,800 per tola, while standard gold is trading at Rs 147,100 per tola. On Tuesday, the price of fine gold was Rs 146,000 per tola while standard gold was traded at Rs 145,000 per tola. In addition, the price of silver today is Rs 1,780 per tola.
Kaligandaki corridor road closed due to landslide
The Kaligandaki Corridor roadway has been blocked due to landslide triggered by incessant rainfall. It has been raining here since Tuesday evening. District Police Office Information Officer Bijay Yadav informed that the road was blocked due to a landslide at Dablang in Baglung Municipality-10 of the corridor. He said that there was a problem in reoperation the road as it was raining heavily.
Protest in Kathmandu in solidarity with Bangladesh students
Civil society members and human rights activists gathered in front of the Bangladesh embassy in Kathmandu on Wednesday to show solidarity with the student protests in Bangladesh. The demonstration was held in response to the recent violence and suppression faced by Bangladeshi students. The protestors in Kathmandu condemned the acts of violence and demanded justice. In the recent students protest in Bangladesh, as many as 147 individuals were killed.
National Security Advisor Bairagi resigns
Shankar Das Bairagi, the National Security Advisor to the National Security Council, has resigned from his position. A source from the Office of the Prime Minister confirmed that Bairagi submitted his resignation on July 24. Bairagi, a former Chief Secretary, was appointed as the National Security Advisor on Jestha 32, 2080 BS.
Sudurpaschim CM Sodari to face vote of confidence on Friday
Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province, Dirgha Bahadur Sodari, is set to face a vote of confidence on Friday. On Wednesday, CM Sodari sent a letter to the Provincial Assembly Secretariat, requesting them to make the necessary arrangements. Following his request, Speaker Bhim Bahadur Bhandari scheduled a provincial assembly meeting for 4 PM on Friday. The vote of confidence comes after the CPN-UML and Nepali Congress formed a coalition at the central level, prompting the UML to withdraw its support from the Sudurpaschim government.
MCA-Nepal completes signing of all three 400 kV substations
The Millennium Challenge Account – Nepal (MCA-Nepal) signed the final substation contract with Techno Electric and Engineering Company Ltd. (TEECL), India to construct a US$ 38.89 million 400 kV substation in Damauli, Tanahun district. With this, MCA-Nepal has completed the award of contracts for the construction of all three 400 kV substations as part of implementing the MCA-Nepal Compact. Once completed, the New Damauli Substation will have a capacity of 1000 Mega Volt Ampere, making it one of the largest substations in the country along with the Ratmate Substation for which the MCA-Nepal signed a contract with the same company in June 2024, it said. The New Damauli Substation will serve as a critical point of connection for power flow with the Ratmate, Lekhnath and New Butwal Substations.
NEPSE index soars above 2,700 points with record turnover of Rs. 21.91 billion
The NEPSE Index on Wednesday closed at 2,760.90 points, reflecting a notable increase of 64.25 points or 2.38 percent from the previous day. This rise follows a gain of 35.55 points in the earlier session, pushing the index past the 2,700 threshold. Trading commenced with the index at 2,708.25 points. During the day, it hit a low of 2,707.57 points and a high of 2,791.02 points before finishing at 2,760.90 points. A total of 332 stocks were traded through 238,272 transactions, with 50,967,951 shares changing hands. This generated a record turnover of Rs. 21.91 billion, the highest ever recorded in NEPSE’s history.
CPN (Unified Socialist) forms task force to select central committee members
The CPN (Unified Socialist) has established a three-member task force to select the party’s central committee members, as well as the names and nominations for central commissions. The decision was made during a committee meeting held on Wednesday, which appointed Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal, senior leader Jhalnath Khanal, and General Secretary Ghanshyam Bhusal to the task force. The next central committee meeting, scheduled for August 2, will finalize the central committee members and commissions.
President Paudel appoints new province chiefs in three provinces
President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed new Province Chiefs for three provinces on Wednesday. The appointments were made based on the government’s recommendation, in accordance with Article 163 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal.The newly appointed Province Chiefs are:Deepak Prasad Devkota from Kailali for Bagmati Province, Krishna Bahadur Garti Magar from Rolpa for Lumbini Province and Yagya Joshi from Bajhang for Karnali Province.
Nepal to seeks China’s assistance in Simaltal landslide search efforts
The Nepalese government is seeking China’s assistance in locating two buses and their passengers, which were swept into the Trishuli River by a landslide at Simaltal in Chitwan on July 12. Secretary of the Home Ministry, Ek Narayan Aryal, announced the decision during a meeting of the State Management and Good Governance Committee under the House of Representatives (HoR). Out of the 65 passengers aboard the two buses, only three survived. The bodies of 24 victims have been recovered, while 35 passengers remain missing.
Nepal’s Prince Dahal defeated by Israeli player at Paris 2024 Olympics
Nepalese badminton player Prince Dahal lost his match against Israel’s Misha Zilberman at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics in France. Zilberman defeated Dahal in straight sets, 2-0, during the final game of the group stage. The first set ended 12-21 after 16 minutes, and the second set concluded 10-21 after 20 minutes. Previously, Dahal, competing in Group P, also lost to Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and Nhat Nguyen of Ireland, both with a score of 2-0 in straight sets. With Dahal’s defeat, six of the seven Nepali athletes participating in the Paris 2024 Olympics have exited the competition.
Ashokraj Sigdel appointed acting chief of army staff of Nepal Army
President Ramchandra Poudel has appointed Lieutenant General Ashokraj Sigdel as the Acting Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) of the Nepal Army. This appointment comes as the current Chief of Army Staff, Prabhuram Sharma, is set to retire at the end of his three-year term on September 9. According to the regulations, the Chief of Army Staff is required to go on leave for one month prior to retirement. Lieutenant General Sigdel has been appointed as the Acting CoAS based on seniority, as recommended by the Council of Ministers.
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