KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Permafrost collapse in Tibet triggers devastating flood in Nepal’s Lhende River
A devastating flood that swept through Nepal’s Rasuwa district shortly after midnight has been traced to a permafrost collapse in the upper catchment of the Lhende River, across the border in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region (Xizang).
Preliminary assessments by Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology—supported by satellite imagery, local officials from the border area, and geologists—confirm that the flood originated after a section of long-frozen permafrost suddenly gave way near the river’s source, which flows into Nepal via Gosainkunda Rural Municipality–1.
Permafrost refers to terrain made of compacted rock, snow, and soil that remains below 0°C year-round. Even light rainfall or increased temperatures can destabilize it, causing sudden floods or landslides.
Contact with China severed as floods cause major destruction in Rasuwa; 18 people, including 3 police officers, missing
A devastating flash flood early Tuesday morning in the Lhende River, near the Nepal-China border, has swept away the Miteri Bridge connecting Rasuwagadhi (Nepal) and Kerung (China), severing road access between the two countries.
The flood, which originated from China’s Lhende and Kerung rivers, gained force as it flowed into Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River, causing widespread destruction. The floodwaters swept away the customs office’s storage sheds in Rasuwa, several goods-laden container trucks, and dozens of electric vehicles.
According to Rasuwa’s Assistant Chief District Officer Dhruba Prasad Adhikari, 18 individuals — including three Nepal Police personnel — are reported missing. Seven bodies have been recovered so far, while 55 people have been rescued.
Norvic Hospital pays Rs 1.8 million compensation for medical negligence
Norvic International Hospital, located in Thapathali, has paid Rs 1.8 million in compensation to a patient over alleged medical negligence during treatment.
The settlement was reached in the presence of Kathmandu District Court Judge and Chair of the Consumer Court, Ram Prasad Sharma, on Tuesday. The hospital administration agreed to pay compensation to the victim as part of a mutual agreement.
The case involved 70-year-old Usha Devi Yadav, who had gone to Norvic for treatment but reportedly suffered paralysis afterward. Her son, Jayaprakash Yadav, filed a complaint at the Kathmandu District Court.
Mahesh challenges Sobita: Name those who didn’t return from Spain with the PM
CPN-UML has strongly objected to a claim made by Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Sobita Gautam that some individuals who accompanied the Prime Minister on a recent visit to Spain did not return.
During Tuesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Gautam alleged that some people in the PM’s delegation remained in Spain.
In response, UML Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula dismissed the claim as baseless, imaginary, and misleading, and demanded that it be removed from the parliamentary record. He also challenged Gautam to name those who allegedly did not return with the Prime Minister.
Suspend CAAN DG over Pokhara Airport irregularities, demands Prem Ale
CPN (Unified Socialist) lawmaker Prem Ale has demanded the immediate suspension of Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Pradeep Adhikari, along with seven others, citing their involvement in irregularities at Pokhara Regional International Airport.
Speaking during zero hour in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Ale urged the government to initiate disciplinary proceedings without delay.
“I would like to request the government to immediately suspend the CAAN Director General and the other seven officials and begin the process of taking action,” Ale stated.
Chinese national arrested with Rs 14.4 million in Boudha
A Chinese national has been arrested in Boudha, Kathmandu, with Rs 14.4 million in cash.
Wang Jian, 40, who had been renting a room in Nayabasti, Boudha (Kathmandu Metropolitan City-6), was arrested on Monday evening.
A team from the Boudha Police Circle conducted a search of his room and seized the cash, according to Kathmandu Valley Police Range spokesperson SP Apilraj Bohara.
Foreign exchange reserves exceed Rs 2.56 trillion
Nepal’s foreign exchange reserves have surpassed Rs 2.56 trillion, according to the latest data published by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
As of the end of mid-June (Jestha), the country’s foreign reserves stood at Rs 2.569 trillion, marking a significant increase from the previous fiscal year.
This level of reserves is sufficient to cover 14.7 months of total imports of goods and services, and 17.6 months of merchandise imports alone, the central bank said.
Nepal’s BoP surplus reaches Rs 491.44 billion in 11 months
Nepal’s balance of payments (BoP) surplus has reached Rs 491.44 billion by the end of Jestha (mid-June) in the current fiscal year, according to the latest report by Nepal Rastra Bank.
This is a notable increase from the same period last fiscal year, when the BoP surplus stood at Rs 425.67 billion.
The improvement in the BoP position is attributed primarily to a significant rise in exports and remittance inflows, despite only a modest increase in imports.
Floods in Rasuwa wash away bridge, roads, and houses
A sudden flash flood in the Lhede River in Rasuwa early this morning has caused extensive damage in the Timure area of the Rasuwagadhi Customs zone, near the Nepal-China border.
The flood, which occurred around 3 a.m., swept away the Miteri Bridge connecting Nepal and China, according to Hem Bahadur Shahi, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) at the District Police Office, Rasuwa.
Several vehicles parked at the Rasuwa dry port and customs yard—including electric vehicles (EVs)—were also washed away. Goods awaiting customs clearance have been swept downstream.
Flash flood from China causes major damage in Rasuwa
A sudden flash flood originating from the Kerung and Lende rivers on the Chinese side has inflicted severe damage in Nepal’s Rasuwa district.
The flood completely destroyed the outer structures of the Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, according to preliminary reports.
Significant damage has also been reported at the under-construction dry port in Timure, where several electric vehicles are believed to have been swept away.
Floods from Tibet devastate key hydropower projects in Rasuwa, halting 200 MW power supply
A devastating flood triggered by heavy rainfall in Tibet has caused significant damage to major hydropower projects in Rasuwa, Nepal, leading to a complete halt in electricity generation of up to 200 megawatts.
According to Baburaja Maharjan, CEO of Chilime Hydropower Company, the flood that swept through Kerung and Lendekhola has rendered multiple power stations inoperable.
These include the 111 MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, 60 MW Trishuli 3A, 21 MW Trishuli, and 15 MW Devighat Hydropower Plant.
Rasuwa floods: 18 missing, including 12 Nepalis and 6 Chinese nationals
At least 18 people, including 12 Nepali and 6 Chinese nationals, have gone missing after a sudden flash flood struck Rasuwa district in the early hours of Tuesday.
According to the District Police Office, the flood hit Rasuwagadhi in Gosainkunda Rural Municipality–2 around 3 a.m., sweeping away infrastructure and people in its path.
So far, nine individuals have been rescued from the disaster site, police confirmed. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities continue searching for the missing amid challenging monsoon conditions.
Downstream settlements at risk as raging flood hits Trishuli
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has issued a serious warning that the flood originating from Tibet and entering Nepal through the Bhotekoshi River could impact areas as far downstream as the Budhigandaki confluence in Benighat.
Following intense rainfall in the Tibet region, a massive surge of water entered Nepal through the Bhotekoshi River early Tuesday morning.
According to the department’s Bhotekoshi-Syafrubesi monitoring station, the floodwaters were recorded at around 3:30 AM in Rasuwa and had reached Betrabati in Trishuli by 5 AM.
Flood damages Pasang Lhamu Highway, cuts off Rasuwagadhi access
A massive overnight flood in Lhendekhola near the Nepal–China border has washed out sections of the Pasang Lhamu Highway, cutting off vehicular access to Rasuwagadhi and severely disrupting connectivity in Rasuwa district.
According to local authorities, the flood caused by intense rainfall blocked the Syafrubesi–Rasuwagadhi section of the highway under Gosainkunda Rural Municipality–2, triggering landslides and severe road erosion. The disruption has hindered both transportation and ongoing rescue operations in the affected areas.
The Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal reported that the Bhotekoshi River’s surging waters also swept away eight electric vehicles from an EV charging station in Timure and nine container units from the Rasuwa Customs Yard. The Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project’s dam has also sustained significant damage.
Muktinath Temple premises upgraded to be more visitor-friendly
The premises of Muktinath Temple, a revered pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists located in Mustang, have been upgraded to enhance visitor convenience.
The improvement project was carried out with a budget of Rs. 900,000 allocated by the Social Development Office, Mustang, for the current fiscal year.
Office Chief Nirpati Darji stated that roofing stones have been laid across the temple premises without altering the existing structure.
Rasuwa floods: Home Ministry calls emergency meeting
The Home Ministry has called an emergency meeting following severe flooding in Rasuwagadhi, Rasuwa, which has caused extensive damage to property and left 18 people missing.
According to the Ministry, a joint meeting of the Central Security Committee and the Executive Committee of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority is being held today to discuss the incident.
The meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Home Ministry, as confirmed by the Home Minister’s Secretariat.
Cine artistes under fire for supporting fraud-accused politician
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane is currently in Bhairahawa Prison, facing charges of cooperative fraud.
The Supreme Court, Nepal’s highest judicial authority, upheld the decision of the Tulsipur High Court, ordering his detention. The court stated that there was no sufficient basis to immediately declare Rabi innocent.
Rabi has been accused in a serious financial crime case that has affected thousands of cooperative depositors. Ironically, some of the very artists now supporting him were once victims of similar fraud.
Doctors take to streets in Kathmandu over Consumer Court rulings
Doctors in Kathmandu have taken to the streets in protest against recent actions by the Consumer Court regarding medical malpractice cases.
In response, hospitals and health institutions nationwide have suspended all services except emergency care.
On Tuesday, doctors and healthcare professionals from the Kathmandu Valley staged a rally from Maitighar Mandala to Bijulibazar, wearing white coats as a symbol of protest.
Foreign exchange reserves exceed Rs 2.56 trillion
Nepal’s foreign exchange reserves have surpassed Rs 2.56 trillion, according to the latest data published by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
As of the end of mid-June (Jestha), the country’s foreign reserves stood at Rs 2.569 trillion, marking a significant increase from the previous fiscal year.
This level of reserves is sufficient to cover 14.7 months of total imports of goods and services, and 17.6 months of merchandise imports alone, the central bank said.
Nepal’s BoP surplus reaches Rs 491.44 billion in 11 months
Nepal’s balance of payments (BoP) surplus has reached Rs 491.44 billion by the end of Jestha (mid-June) in the current fiscal year, according to the latest report by Nepal Rastra Bank.
This is a notable increase from the same period last fiscal year, when the BoP surplus stood at Rs 425.67 billion.
The improvement in the BoP position is attributed primarily to a significant rise in exports and remittance inflows, despite only a modest increase in imports.
Nepali Congress extends deadline for active membership renewal
The Nepali Congress has extended the deadline for renewing active memberships. Following its Central Working Committee meeting on Monday, the party issued a statement late at night announcing the revised timeline.
According to the statement issued by Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel, party units now have until the end of October to complete the membership renewal process and submit details to the central office.
The party has made it clear that any membership details not submitted within the given timeframe will not be considered valid for the upcoming 15th General Convention.
Nepal’s fixture announced for Top End T20 Series in Australia
The Nepal national cricket team’s match schedule for the upcoming Australian Top-End T20 series has been officially released.
Nepal will play a total of six matches in the tournament.
The team’s opening game is set for August 15 against the local Northern Territory Strike. Their second match will be against Bangladesh A on August 16. On August 18, Nepal will face the Melbourne Stars.
All non-essential programs cancelled as PM Oli prioritizes disaster response
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has postponed all non-essential public engagements scheduled for Tuesday in light of the ongoing disaster situation across the country.
According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, all programs that are not deemed urgent have been suspended due to the emergency response to severe flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall.
Among the postponed events was his planned participation in a national policy dialogue titled “Preservation and Promotion of Indigenous Seeds and Livestock Breeds: Foundation of Self-Reliant Agriculture and National Pride” organized by the CPN-UML’s Central Department of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
RSP and RPP boycott House meeting again
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) boycotted Tuesday’s session of the House of Representatives, demanding a parliamentary probe committee to investigate the growing controversy surrounding the visit visa scandal.
Both parties rejected the probe committee led by former Chief Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi, which was formed by the government to look into the matter.
They insist that only a parliamentary committee can independently and credibly investigate the case, which has implicated Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.
Nepal receives Rs 1.53 trillion in remittances in 11 months
Nepal received Rs 176.32 billion in remittances during the month of Jestha (mid-May to mid-June) of the current fiscal year 2024/25, marking an increase of nearly Rs 10 billion compared to the previous month of Baisakh, according to data released by Nepal Rastra Bank.
In Baisakh, the country had received Rs 165 billion in remittances.
With the latest inflow, total remittances over the first 10 months of the fiscal year (Shrawan to Jestha) have reached Rs 1.532 trillion — a 15.5% year-on-year growth. During the same period in the previous fiscal year, remittance inflows had increased by 17.2%.
Nepali Congress to deploy representatives to resolve provincial govt disputes
The Nepali Congress has decided to send central representatives to all seven provinces in a bid to resolve ongoing misunderstandings affecting the functioning of provincial governments.
In a recent Central Working Committee meeting, the party agreed to dispatch delegates from the central level to facilitate coordination and dialogue with the provincial party committees and parliamentary party units.
The primary objective of this initiative is to address operational disagreements within the provincial governments and to promote smoother governance. The representatives will engage in consultations, collect feedback, and help ease tensions between party structures at different levels.
Doctors continue to halt services nationwide
Doctors and healthcare workers across Nepal, led by the Nepal Medical Association (NMA), have halted all medical services except emergency and intensive care, escalating their protest against provisions in the Consumer Protection Act, 2018.
The NMA announced the strike on Monday, and healthcare institutions, both government and private, including clinics, have joined in solidarity.
The association has demanded amendments to the Act, specifically objecting to the inclusion of healthcare services under the same legal framework as other consumer services.
Chief Justice administers oath to three Supreme Court justices
Chief Justice (CJ) Prakash Man Singh Raut administered the oath of office and secrecy to three newly appointed Supreme Court (SC) justices today.
Chief Justice Raut administered the oath to justices Meghraj Pokharel, Shrikant Poudel, and Shantisingh Thapa at a ceremony held at the Supreme Court.
President Ram Chandra Poudel appointed them on Monday following their endorsement by the Parliamentary Hearing Committee, based on the recommendation of the Judicial Council.
US postpones higher tariffs but announces new rates for select countries
US President Donald Trump has decided to delay the implementation of higher tariffs on U.S. imports but has issued formal notices to 14 countries—including Japan and South Korea—outlining the trade duties they could soon face.
This move comes as a 90-day pause on some of the administration’s harshest tariffs was about to expire. Trump reiterated his threat of imposing a 25% duty on imports from Japan and South Korea and issued a series of letters to foreign leaders stating that new tariffs would take effect from August 1, according to BBC.
The higher tariffs were initially scheduled to begin on July 9, but had been temporarily suspended while U.S. officials explored potential trade agreements.
Two bodies found in Dhading after floodwaters surge in Trishuli River
Two bodies were recovered in separate locations in Dhading district on Tuesday after heavy flooding in the upper Trishuli River, caused by torrential rain upstream in Nuwakot.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Subas Hamal of the District Police Office, the bodies, both male, were found in Belkhu of Gajuri Rural Municipality-6 and in Keureni of Galchhi Rural Municipality-2.
The Trishuli River has seen a significant rise in water levels since early morning.
Top leaders of ruling coalition hold talks
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held a high-level meeting with top leaders from the major ruling coalition partners today at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar.
The meeting was attended by Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka, and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.
Representing CPN-UML were General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and Deputy General Secretary Bishnu Prasad Rimal.
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