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Govt. asked to expedite construction of residence for quake-hit communities

Published Date : November 11, 2023

            Kathmandu, Nov 11 : The State Affairs and Good-Governance Committee of the House of Representatives (HoR) has thanked the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ for government’s prompt actions taken in the rescue operation and treatment to those injured ones after the Jajarkot Earthquake happened on November 3.

            Meeting with Prime Minister Prachanda on Saturday, the delegation led by Committee President Ramhari Khatiwada also suggested the PM to effectively ensure relief operations and expedite reconstruction of the quake-hit properties in the affected districts.

            Khatiwada said, “We visited the affected sites and held instructions. Everyone has praised PM’s visit to the field and moves taken for the rescue and treatment of the injured and affected ones,” Khatiwada said. “Completion of the rescue operations in 13 hours was the result of the PM’s promptness. For this, the Committee would extend special thanks to the government on behalf of the Committee,” he added.

            Committee member and UML lawmaker Krishna Gopal Shrestha also extended gratitude to the proactive move of the PM and government’s role taken in the rescue and relief operation. “This is greatly inspiring. You made realize the strong presence of the government. I highly appreciate this,” Shrestha stated.     

            Receiving the report of the Committee, PM Prachanda said that the recommendations of the Committee would be implemented after a thorough study of the report.

‘Intermediaries are defaming hospitals’

            Kathmandu, Nov 11: Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet has said the intermediaries inside the hospitals are defaming the hospitals.

            Inaugurating the Bir Hospital clean-up campaign on Saturday, Minister Basnet mentioned, “Some selfish employees and intermediaries have been defaming the hospital. They are trying to misuse few other employees to meet their ends. So, all should be aware of them.”

            He laid emphasis that all should join hands to develop Bir Hospital as an exemplary hospital. Similarly, Vice-Chancellor of National Academy of Medical Sciences, Bir Hospital, Prof Dr Bhupendra Basnet shared that the clean-up campaign was launched in order to make Bir Hospital clean like other places during Tihar festival.

            Such drive would get continuity, he added. Likewise, Bir Hospital’s Director Dr Santosh Poudel said the clean-up campaign was launched in hospital by forming different groups.

            Office-bearers of NAMS, departmental chiefs, doctors and employees were present in the clean-up campaign.

Call to support quake-hit people

            Kathmandu, Nov 11: Vice-Chairman of CPN (Unified Socialist) Rajendra Pandey has urged the government to support the earthquake affected communities in the districts of Jajarkot and Rukum Paschim.

            Addressing a Tihar cultural programme organized by the party’s Gorkha-Kathmandu liaison forum to raise funds in its bid to support the earthquake survivors, Pandey asked the government to pay special attention to ensure health care services in the affected districts. “The government always should be ready for the disaster management including for earthquakes,” Pandey argued.

            He also asked the government to become serious to the pathetic condition of the people from the affected communities since they are obliged to stay under the open sky in the winter.

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Inmates given training for making snack

            Achham, Nov 11: The inmates in Achham prison were provided with training on making Dalmoth, a type of dry snack.

            The need-based training was launched with the help of the District Cottage and Small Industry.  The office had been imparting skill development training to the detainees to support them in their income as well.

            A total of 15 detainees participated in the training. The training was concluded on Saturday amidst a function. On the occasion, Chief District Officer Sharad Kumar Pokharel said such skill development trainings were needed to the jailbirds to make their lives better.

            The Office also provided machine to make Dalmoth to the participants of the training.

PM Dahal stresses on protecting achievements of republic

            Kathmandu, Nov 11: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the Nepal Sambat would be written in government’s documents as it is the National Sambat.

            Addressing the Fifth Memorial Day of leader Padma Ratna Tuladhar here on Saturday, Prime Minister Dahal mentioned, “I had given recognition to the Nepal Sambat as the National Sambat from cabinet during my first premiership.” 

            He also recalled Tuladhar saying that Nepal Sambat itself was the National Sambat. PM Dahal shared, “The announcement was made sitting with Tuladhar. Now, Nepal Sambat 1144 is coming. Some representatives visited me and asked to introduce Nepal Sambat as the National Sambat in practice and include in government’s documents.”

            Sharing that the democracy and republic obtained from a long struggle and sacrifices are being criticized, the PM laid emphasis that all should contribute from their respective areas to protect the achievements including the federal democratic republic, secularism and proportional system.

DPM Shrestha, CPC Tibet’s Secretary meet

            :

            Kathmandu, Nov 11: Secretary of Communist Party of China Tibet Autonomous Region, Wang Junzheng, held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha on Saturday at the latter’s office in Singha Durbar.

            During the meeting, CPC leader Junzheng said that his visit’s key objective was to advance the implementation of the agreements and MoUs held between Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Chinese President Xi Jinping during Prachanda’s recent China visit. 

            Junzheng said that China has always respected Nepal’s sovereignty and expressed his pleasure towards Nepal’s unwavering support to the one-China policy, DPM Shrestha’s press advisor Kamal Giri stated. Likewise, Junzheng said China would extend further assistance to the earthquake affected people in the districts of Jajarkot and Rukum Paschim.

            Furthermore, the CPC leader said all border points along the Nepal-China bordering area have already resumed and some news border points have also come into operation. According to Giri, DPM Shrestha said that Nepal-China relations have advanced on party to party, people to people and government to government levels and praised China’s support to Nepal’s development efforts and disaster response as well. 

            “Nepal has already accepted the BRI and the BRI projects would help grow weak economies. For this, the infrastructure development work should be advanced effectively and extensively,” Shrestha stated.  

Pokhara to organize Bhai Tika festival to promote tourism

            Pokhara, Nov 11 : The Hotel Association of Pokhara has announced to organize the 16th edition of Bhai Tika festival on November 15, the day of this year’s Bhai Tika, in Pokhara to promote tourism through culture. The festival is being organized with the slogan ‘save culture; promote tourism’, according to Chairman of Association Laxman Subedi.

            With the purpose to spread Nepali culture of Bhai Tika internationally and to promote brotherhood among domestic and international tourists, this festival is taking place in Pokhara since long past. Subedi hoped that the event would help revitalize Pokhara’s tourism that suffered badly due to COVID-19 and some other reasons in the past three years.

            Tourists visiting Pokhara from different countries would take part in the festival.The festival would be supported by the Pokhara Metropolitan City, Nepal Tourism Board and Gorkha Premium Beer Company.

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10 police office buildings suffer damages from Jajarkot quake 

            Rukum, Nov 11: Ten police office buildings in Rukum Paschim district have suffered damages from the Jajarkot earthquake occurred on November 3.

            According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of the District Police Office Rukum Paschim Namaraj Bhattarai, of the 10 police office buildings in the district, five were completely damaged while five others witnessed partial damages.

            DSP Bhattarai shared that the walls of the office building of the District Police Office was cracked, and the personnel are not likely to discharge their duty from the office. The building of Purtimkanda Police Post, Solabang Police Post, Simli Police Post and Area Police Office, Aathbiskot, were fully damaged. 

            Police stated that Simli Police Post has now been providing its services from another house while Aathbiskot Police Post from a tent.

Sankhuwasabha reports 1,700 plus dengue patients

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            Khandbari, Nov 11: As many as 1,710 people have been confirmed infected with dengue in Sankhuwasabha district.

            The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division has expressed its concerns to the rising number of the dengue patients in this mountainous district. However, Bhotkhola and Chichila rural municipalities have not reported the dengue patients in the district. 

            The Division on Friday held a programme to share information on dengue control and treatment by inviting the chiefs and deputies of all 10 local levels and chiefs of health section at the district headquarters in Khandbari. Director at the Division, Dr Rudra Marasini, urged the local levels’ representatives and health officials to proactively work to control dengue by raising awareness on public, activating school health nurse programme and mobilizing health volunteers to disseminate message on dengue control and prevention.

            Likewise, Dr Marasini asked to expedite the ‘search and destroy’ campaign.  The virus spreads from the bites of mosquitoes infected with dengue virus. Infected mosquitoes bite humans especially during daytime, it is said.

            The symptoms of the disease include fever, severe headache, eyeball pain, body aches, loss of appetite, joint and muscle pain, stomach and intestinal disturbances. According to doctors, people should wear clothes that cover the whole body, sleep inside mosquito nets at day and night, and use ointment to prevent mosquito bites while working around the house and in the fields.

Nepal Police Club clinches 1st Birgunj Gold Cup title

            Birgunj (Parsa), Nov 11: The Nepal Police Club has clinched the title of the First Birgunj Gold Cup 2080 held in Birgunj.

            The Club won the title by defeating another departmental team, the Tribhuvan Army Club, by 2-0 in tiebreaker in the final match held on Saturday under the championship.

            With the title, the Nepal Police Club got Rs 1,111,111, trophy and medal while the first runner-up team army club received Rs 555,555 and trophy. In the final match held at Birgunj-based Adarshanagar Stadium, the final decision was taken through the tiebreaker after players could not make a goal from their respective team till the given 90 minutes.

            The Nepal Police Club clinched the title after four strikers of Tribhuvan Army Club could not hit to the goal post while Ram Waju and Buddha Tamang of the Nepal Police Club scored one each goal against the army club.

Jajarkot earthquake: Livestock loss worth 19 million

            Kathmandu, Nov 11: Loss of livestock in the Jajarkot earthquake was worth Rs 19 million.

            The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock shared that the details on loss of livestock in Jajarkot and Rukum Paschim districts was evaluated with average value of the cattle that died in the quake.

            The loss of cow, ox, buffalo, sheep, and domestic fowls were recorded for the calculation.

            Ministry spokesperson Shabnam Shivakoti said Jajarkot district witnessed huge loss of cattle and fowls.  He added that Jajarkot alone lost the cattle worth Rs 10.7 million.

            The Ministry has also treated 606 injured animals, where Jajarkot alone had 592 injured animals.

            Similarly, the Ministry began collecting details on damage of rice, wheat, maize and millet in the quake hit districts. The compensation of food stuff and domestic animals would be managed via insurance.

            The concerned province and local levels will prepare standard for the compensation, which will be provided via single door system.

Growing cold aggravates health condition of quake survivors

            Karnali, Nov 11: The survivors of Jajarkot earthquake have begun experiencing health problems in the wake of growing cold for some days.

            The people bound to continue survival under the tarpaulin sheet have got little cloths to warm them in the cold. Only a blanket does not suffice to a household, as the biting cold is causing more hardship, especially for the elderly and children.

            On Thursday and Friday alone, two persons lost lives. The victims were Pampha Rawal, 48, and Gopal Bahadur Rawal, 84, from Nalgad Municipality-4 of Jajarkot district.

            Ward Chair Badri Pant informed that Gapal Bahadur died of asthma, while Pampha died of pneumonia.

            Pampha died at Dalli municipal hospital while undergoing treatment. Panta further informed that the earthquake survivors are compelled to spend night being deprived of warm clothes. They are braving mist and chill under the tarpaulin sheet. It has resulted into aggravation of health condition among children, senior ones and those living with incurable disease. 

            According to him, there are 30 lactating women and 30 senior citizens suffering from incurable disease as arthritis, asthma and heart problems at ward no 4 where there are total 374 households. It has been tough to manage lactating women and people living with diseases in particular.

            The children are also witnessing worsening health condition.

            Doctor at Dalli municipal hospital, Bishal Uprety, informed that the number of patients suffering from fever, cold, diarrhea, heart disease and asthma was increasing in recent days.  As high as 150 people are visiting with ailments nowadays, he added.

            It is also reported that the quake survivors are forced to take impure water because some 50 water supply projects were damaged by the tremor in various villages, including Bagmare, Kalleri, Tiptipe, Aoul, Chatulaina and Kothigaon. Similarly, open defecation has been another problem to worsen sanitation.

            Senior physician Dr Shyam BK from Nepalgunj Medical College informed that he recently returned from quake-hit area by providing treatment to some 400 patients for four days. He also informed that children and senior citizens were suffering from symptoms of pneumonia and asthma. Some the long-term patients were deprived of medicine due to damages in the houses with the tremor.

            Mayor of Nalgad municipality, Dambar Bahadur Rawat, however, informed that they were continuing distribution of relief materials. “It is difficult to manage all things at once, but each household has been provided a tarpaulin and a blanket for now,” he shared.

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Dozer operator dies in rockslide

            Manma (Kalikot), Nov 11: A dozer operator died in a rockslide occurred in course of road repair along the Karnali corridor on Friday evening.

            The dry rockslide occurred at Kalekhola of Shumakalika Rural Municipality-1 claiming the life of dozer operator, Dhir Sajyal.

            Information officer at District Police Office, Poshan Thapa, informed that the dozer operator crushed in the rockslide was Dhir Sajyal, 30, from Khaditoli of Pachalbharana Rural Municipality-8 in Kalikot.

            The road widening drive is underway along the Karnali corridor.

            “The dozer operator did not notice the falling boulders. The sudden fall of boulder crushed him, taking his life on the spot,” the police added.

            Although the incident occurred last evening, the dead body was recovered after 18 hours- Saturday morning.

            With the rockslide, the roadway is blocked.

            The police further informed that the lifeless body of the victim has been sent to hospital for post mortem, said the District Police Office.

Tihar a festival of inspiration and light: CM Pandey

            Gandaki, Nov 11: Gandaki Province’s Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey said Tihar is a festival of light and reflection of inspiration.

            In a message of best wishes given on the occasion of Tihar, the festival of lights and colour that began today, CM Pandey asserted that the unique culture and tradition of observing Tihar would unravel the interdependent relationship among the nature, human life and wildlife.

            The second biggest festival of Hindu people after Dashain falls on Kartik Krishna Trayodashi ever year.  Also known as Yam Panchak, the first day is observed as Kaag Tihar by feeding crows, regarded as messenger in Nepali society.    

            Stating that the five-day festival would also help in further fostering the mutual affection between the sisters and brothers, Pandey said, “It is also a festival bearing mythological, cultural, family and scientific values.”

            The CM observed that the festival celebrated for five days starting from Kaag Tihar and ending with Bhai Tika is a symbol of happiness. The festival where animals as well as Goddess Laxmi are worshiped further strengthen mutual relations.

            He expressed his confidence that tradition of playing Deusi and Bhailo which is an integral part of the Tihar, also augment amity, fraternity, social goodwill as well as tolerance. The CM, through the message, urged one and all to remain aware about all ill-traditions and anomalies prevailing in our society in the name of festivals and wished this festival inspired us to take initiatives to eradicate such social vices.

            “I am confident that this festival would inspire us to achieve the aspiration of the province people,” wished CM Pandey.

82 Himalayan goats killed in snow leopard attack

            Myagdi, Nov 11: Dozens of Himalayan goats were killed by the snow leopards at Dhakmar of Lodhekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality-2 in Mustang district on Friday night.

            Four leopards entered the makeshift enclosure keeping dozens of Himalayan goats owned by a local Migmar Gurung, and killed 82 goats, leaving eight others injured.

            Information to this was shared by ward member Chhawattar Gurug.

            The pen made of walls and wires which was easily raided by the wild cats. “The livestock death caused the loss of more than Rs 3 million,” Gurung said, adding that the leopards sucked (blood) to death the Himalayan goats, while some were left with only innards.

            Later, the injured goats also died. It is the biggest scourge caused by the snow leopards in Mustang, according to farmers.

            After the scourge, a team comprising Chairman of Loghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality, Raju Bista, and representatives from the Annapurna Conservation Area Office, Lomangthang, and police persons from Charang Police Office reached the spot.

            Snow leopard is an endangered wildlife in Nepal. There is no ascertained data on how many snow leopards are there in Mustang.

            The den in the rock of Dhakma village is the habitat of the snow leopards, according to local Chhiring Gurung.

Fast Track achieves 27.19 percent physical progress

            Kathmandu, Nov 11: The Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track has achieved 27.19 per cent physical progress and 29.32 per cent financial progress amidst various obstacles and challenges.

            The national pride project is being implemented by the Nepali Army (NA). Once the four-lane express way completes, the southern plains can be reached within 2 hours 2 minutes from the Kathmandu Valley. The express way goes from Khokana of Lalitpur to Kathmandu, Makawanpur and reach Nijgadh of Bara district.

            The national project for which Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ had laid a foundation stone on May 28, 2017 at Nijgadh is expected to e completed by mid-April, 2027.

            The incumbent government on October 16 last year had approved the revised DPR of the Rs 211.93 billion, according to which, the new length of the fast track is determined at 70.9-km, two km curtailed from the earlier one.

            There are six tunnels measuring 10.055-kilometres in total along the track that will be built according to the Asian Highway standards. Two-wheelers will be barred from plying the track having altogether 89 bridges along the way.

            Designs of 45 bridges have been completed from package no 1 to 5, according to the NA. NA’s Colonel Bishwa Bandhu Pahadi reaffirmed the commitment for the timely completion of the Project. “The Nepali Army is determined to deliver the quality fast-track within the timeline,” he reiterated.

            At present, tall bridges and tunnels are being built at Mahadevtar, Dhedre and Lanedanda in Makawanpur district under the project being executed in total of 13 packages.

            Due to the fact that the DPR of the project was not approved on time, the fast-track suffered snail-pace construction in course of time. Land acquisition and environment impact assessment and clearance of trees among others further delayed the undertaking, the NA said.

New campaign to protect achievement: PM Dahal

            Kirtipur, Nov 11: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said a new campaign was launched through government and party to protect republic and federalism.

            During an interaction organzed by his party on ‘Kirtipur people’ here today, PM Dahal admitted, “Due to party slit and deviation from ideology, the counterrevolutionary elements were rearing heads to reverse the present achievement.” Reasoning this, the party had launched a new campaign against it, he argued.

            He further informed that during this third prime ministerial stint, he was devoted to works to ensure visible change in the country.

            PM Dahal prided on the achievements as incorporation of thousands of workers under social security scheme, investigation of fake Bhutanese refugee scam, and action on land grabbers.

            On a different note, he cited the recent four-day official visit of the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Nepal and assessed that the visit was a success because Nepal managed to draw the world’s attention towards climate change in various international platforms.

            As for the economic condition of the country, he claimed that it was gradually improving as a result of the hard work on the part of government.

            He further informed that works related to the Karnali-Chisapani hydropower project, constructions of cricket stadiums in Kathmandu, and Bharatpur and Biratnagar, of international airport in Bara district and Kathmandu-Terai Fast Tract were intensified.

DREE-2023 concludes

Kathmandu, Nov 11: The sixth edition of the Disaster Response Exercise and Response (DREE-2023) has been over. Co-hosted by the Nepal Army and the United States Army Pacific from November 6, the participants exchanged their experiences in the field of disaster management and humanitarian assistances.

The training session was attended by representatives of various ministries of the Government of Nepal, the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepal, representatives of various government and non-governmental organisations, and representatives of the United Kingdom, Canada, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mongolia and Cambodia. During thefive-day training session, educational discussions, table work and other various practices were conducted in Kathmandu and Chitwan districts, said the Army.

Concluding the training, Lieutenant General Sitaram Khadka expressed the confidence that the lessons learned by the Nepal Army, the concepts of reducing disasters adopted by other countries, the exchange of experiences by participating countries would help deal with possible disasters in the future, and make the search and rescue efforts, and relief distribution more feasible and effective.

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Makeshift bridges for tourists visiting Dhorpatan Valley

Dhorpatan (Baglung), Nov 11: Lately, the Dhorpatan Valley has received a crowd of tourists. Tourists visiting Dhorpatan reach Jaljala through Gurjaghat. One has to cross many rivers to reach Jaljala. 

After Sanghus (wooden bridges) were swept away during monsoon, the Hotel Entrepreneur Association of the Dhorpatan Valley and the Nepal Army have jointly constructed Phatkas (makeshift bridges) for the comfort of tourists. The makeshift bridges were built for facilitating visiting tourists crossing the river, said a hotel entrepreneur Shyam Lal Regmi. 

Although Jaljala is reachable by vehicles, most of visiting tourists prefer motorcycle rides. So, the makeshift bridges were constructed for the comfort of motorcycle riders, he said. The bridges have made it easy for domestic tourists to trek as well.

“Most of visiting tourists want to see the mountains. To see the mountains, tourists have to reach Jaljala through Gurjaghat. We have constructed makeshift bridges at two places to facilitate the journey of tourists. Jaljala is reachable by vehicles. But most of visiting tourists prefer bike rides. Now, the travel up to Jaljala is easier. But flooded rivers sweep away the bridges during monsoon, making the travel difficult,” he said.

The bridges have made the travel easier, said a local Nim Bahadur BK. Although young people can easily cross the river, children and the elderly would face difficulties, he added.

Saying the makeshift bridges are not a permanent solution as they can be washed away by the flooded river during monsoon, he demanded the construction of a suspension bridge in the area. Their repeated calls to concerned authorities to build a suspension bridge in the area have not been heard yet, he added.

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Tihar begins with worship of crow

Kathmandu, Nov 11: Tihar, the festival of lights, is beginning from today. The second biggest festival of Hindu people behind Dashain falls on Kartik Krishna Trayodashi ever year.

Also known as Yam Panchak, the first day is observed as Kaag Tihar by feeding crows, regarded as messenger in Nepali society.

According to the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti (Calendar Determination Committee), Yamadip donation should begin from today evening as today is Kartik Krishna Trayodashi. There is a religious belief that donating Yamadip today makes oneself become free of tortures by Yamaraj, the lord of hell and death. Dhanwantari Jayanti and Dhanteras are also observed today itself.

The second day is Kukur Tihar-the day is observed worshipping dogs. Interestingly this year, on Sunday, the second day of Tihar, Kukur Tihar and Laxmi Puja are observed due to the alternation in dates, said the Committee. On Laxmi Puja, Laxmi, goddess of wealth, fortune, power, beauty, fertility and prosperity, is worshipped. 

Kukur Tihar is also called Narak Chaturdashi. People take holy dips in rivers and ponds at sunrise on this day in observance of the Narak Chaturdashi. After taking the holy bath, devotees light what is known as the Yamadeep facing it southwards.

On Monday, Gai Puja (worship of cow) will take place. Similarly, Goru Puja (worship of ox), Haltihar, Gobardhan Puja, Bali Puja and Maha Puja will be observed on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Bhai Tika is celebrated.

This year, the auspicious time for offering and receiving Bhai Tika is fixed at 10:51 am, said the Committee. However, people can receive and offer Bhai Tika throughout the day until evening, it added.

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Rainfall in Lumbini Province

Kathmandu, Nov 11: There is light rain in one or two places of Lumbini Province as there is a cloudy sky in Sudurpaschim Province, Karnali Province, Lumbini Province and Gandaki Province, said the Meteorological Forecasting Division. The westerly wind in the western part of Nepal has had its impact.

Today afternoon, hilly parts of the country including the provinces will have a partial to general cloudy sky, and the weather in the remaining areas will be clear, said the Division.

Light rain with thunder and lightning is predicted in a few hilly areas of Sudurpaschim Province and Karnali Province, and at one or two places in the rest of the areas. There is a possibility of light snowfall at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous parts of the country. It will be partial to general cloudy in the hilly parts of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces, and the weather will be clear in the rest parts. Light snowfall is likely at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous areas.

Tomorrow (Sunday), light rain with thunder and lightning is predicted at one or two places in the hilly areas of Koshi Province, and light snowfall at one or two places in the high hilly and mountainous areas.

On Monday, there will be a partial cloudy in the hilly areas of the country, and the weather will be generally clear in the rest areas. Light snowfall is likely at one or two places in the high hilly and mountainous areas of the country.

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Jajarkot quake victims crying for relief materials

Lamidanda (Jajarkot), Nov 11: Despite the district disaster management committee claiming that relief materials have reached the genuine earthquake victims in Jajarkot, the victims have complained of being deprived of the materials. Their situation is worst that they are living under the open sky in winter, and the problem has doubled with rainfall since today morning. Rain has posed a risk of the already cracked houses due to the quake being swept away.

They are suffering from cold-related diseases like fever and typhoid, said Ram Prasad Khatri of Nalgad Municipality-8.

Relief materials have not reached the quake-hit Dhaulakot of Barekot Rural Municipality-1, said a local Hari Bahadur Thapa. “We have not received relief materials yet despite repeated calls to the rural municipality. Dhaulakot is the nearby village from Ramidanda, the epicenter of the 6.4 magnitude earthquake,” he said.

Not all victims have received the relief materials as there were not enough, defended Bir Bahadur Giri, chairperson of Barekot Rural Municipality. Barekot still needs 1,700 tarpaulins, he said.

Quake-hit Nalgad Municipality is waiting for relief materials. The victims of the municipality-8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 have yet to receive them.

Nalgad-8 is the most populated area. Some organisations voluntarily distributed relief materials in the area, said a local Bhim Bahadur Khatri. They suffered as decisions were made without effective monitoring and inspection, he accused.

Almost all houses in Nalgad-8 have been damaged by the quake, said Jaya Bahadur Khatri, secretary of the Batase Cheuri Barma Forest Community Institution, adding that most of them are not fit for living. Rainfall from today has caused more pain to the victims, he said. As a result of rain, stones have started falling from the damaged houses.

Relief materials were distributed unequally, said Ramkali Thapa of Bheri Municipality-3, adding that some have received them twice while others have not received yet. Those victims who have rented rooms in Khalanga have yet to receive relief materials. Only landlords were registered as quake victims for receiving relief materials but not tenants, complained Mal Bahadur Singh of Barekot Rural Municipality-4, currently living in Khalanga.

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