- Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Kathmandu, July 8: Bodies of nine people who fell victim to the flash floods that hit Rasuwa today have been recovered. One of the body was recovered from Chitwan tonight.
According to the latest details provided by Nepal Police Headquarters, 19 more people are reported missing. The body of Assistant Inspector of Police Lal Bahadur Shrestha, who was missing from Rasuwa after being swept away by the flood, was found on the banks of the Trishuli River at a place called 15 Kilo of Chitwan.
Central Spokesperson of Nepal Police, Deputy Inspector General of Police Binod Ghimire said two policemen, six Chinese citizens and 11 civilians are missing. Similarly, 57 people have been rescued.
A 383-member police team was mobilized to rescue those affected by the floods. The floods swept away the Miteri Bridge on the Nepal-China border, 24 containers, six trucks and 35 EV vehicles. The road from Dhunche to Timure has also been blocked.
The dam of Rasuwagadhi Hydro and the yard of the Customs Office in Rasuwa have also been damaged.
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Foreign national arrested with Rs 1.44 million with undisclosed source
Kathmandu, July 8: A foreign national has been arrested from Buudha in Kathmandu with Rs 1.44 million cash of undisclosed source.
The District Police Range, Kathmandu, has stated that 40-year-old Chinese national Wang Jian, who lived in a rented room in Naya Basti, Boudha has been arrested with the cash without verified source of origin.
The money was found during a search of his residence based on a tip-off that financial transactions were being conducted in Nepali currency of undisclosed source, police said. The accused was made public today.
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Former CJ Shrestha to receive Hem Bahadur Malla Award
Kathmandu, July 8: The Public Administration Association of Nepal (PAAN) has decided to confer this year’s Hem Bahadur Malla Award on former Chief Justice (CJ) Kalyan Shrestha.
Organizing a press meet today, the PAAN said the decision to award former CJ Shrestha was taken in recognition of Shrestha’s contribution to judicial leadership and its institutional development.
PAAN Chair Madhu Raman Acharya said the award will be presented to Shrestha on July 10. The award carries a purse of Rs 200,000.
Acharya said that the decision was backed by former CJ Shrestha’s outstanding contributions to transitional justice, inclusive democracy and environment justice through his historical role in thoughts, stance and verdicts.
A jury committee led by former Chair of Public Service Commission Umesh Mainali recommended the name of former CJ Shrestha for the award.
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30,443 rupees minimum wage for workers, says JTUCC
Kathmandu, July 8: The Joint Trade Union Coordination Center (JTUCC) has demanded that the minimum wage for workers be fixed at Rs 30,443 per month.
At a press conference organized here today, JTUCC president Jagat Bahadur Simkhada said considering the current market price and the minimum standard of living for a family the monthly expenditure for a four-member family is around Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000. “Based on scientific, comparative and practical grounds, the minimum wage for workers should be Rs 30,443 per month.”
He also drew the attention of the government, employers and stakeholders to the issue of immediate review of the minimum wage, full implementation of the Contribution-Based Social Security Act and amendment of labour laws. If these demands are not addressed a joint protest will start from July 10.
The JTUCC is a common platform of Nepali worker organisations. It serves as the coordinating mechanism of 10 recognised National Trade Unions.
The government has a constitutional obligation to review the minimum wage of workers every two years. The last time the government set a monthly wage of Rs 17,300 in 2080 BS, he said.
Similarly, the JTUCC has also demanded that necessary initiatives be taken to implement the Supreme Court’s decision on the fundamental right to organize, collective bargaining, fair labour practices, and provision of contribution-based social security scheme.
The Center has also drawn the attention of the government to immediately correct the nominations that it said are contrary to the spirit of tripartite representation in the Board of Directors of the Social Security Fund.
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NHRC urges doctors to remain sensitive to people’s right to health care service
Kathmandu, July 8: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the doctors to immediately resume the health care services considering the possible risks on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people due to the closure of essential services like health care.
The NHRC has urged the doctors to immediately resume the health care services by being responsible to the serious and essential service and maintain professional integrity.
Issuing a press statement today, NHRC Spokesperson Dr Tikaram Pokhrel has asked the stakeholders to resolve the confusions in the health sector through meaningful talk and dialogue and go through the legal process regarding the misunderstanding on the decision to form the Consumer Court.
The Consumer Court has recently issued a verdict against some hospitals directing them to provide compensation, citing negligence of the hospitals and doctors in the treatment of patients.
Doctors and health workers, at the call of the Nepal Medical Association (NMA), have protested by closing all health care services except emergency care across the country to protest some provisions of Consumer Protection Act, 2075.
Likewise, the NHRC has stated that complaints have been received at the Commission about the violation of the citizen’s right to receive health care services in an accessible and convenient manner. “Shutting down the health service like emergency service is against the Constitution,” reads the NHRC statement.
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Details of Lhende flood damages unveiled
Kathmandu, July 8: Details of scale of damage caused by floods in the Lhende rivulet and the Bhotekoshi river along the Nepal-China border on Saturday night to the dry port at Rasuwagadhi in Rasuwa district has been released.
Assistant Chief District Officer (CDO) of Rasuwa, Dhruba Prasad Adhikari, shared that the devastating floods swept away 23 good ferrying containers, 6 freight vehicles and 35 new electric vehicles.
Likewise, 20 people have been reported missing since the disaster. Among them, three are Nepali Police personnel, five working as drivers in the dry port and six Chinese nationals.
The dam site of the 111-mega watt- Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project has been washed away by the swollen river thereby completely halting the power production in the project.
Similarly, the debris of flood entering the 20-megha watt Chilime hydropower project has completely obstructed the generation of electricity in the project. Repair and maintenance of the project has been taken forward to re-operate it at the earliest.
The dam site of 60-mega watt Upper Trishuli ‘A’ hydro power centre has also sustained damages in the flood and landslide, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority.
Further details of damages are awaited, police said.
Meanwhile, the Nepali Army personnel have airlifted 55 people stranded in the riverbank to safer locations, Adhikari informed.
The raging Lhende river also swept away Miteri Pul (Friendship Bridge), along the Nepal-China border, he said, adding that direct connectivity to Kerung in China has been cut off thereafter.
Shortly after passing this point, the Lhende River merges with the Bhotekoshi River.
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Minister Dr Rana urges direct flights between Nepal and Germany
Kathmandu, July 8: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba met with German Foreign Minister Johann David Wadephul in Berlin, Germany today.
The meeting discussed a wide range of bilateral issues, including Nepal-Germany relations, mutual interests and common global concerns.
Dr Rana acknowledged Germany as one of Nepal’s largest and oldest development and trade partners, expressing gratitude for the country’s support in Nepal’s economic, social and other fields since 1961.
She stressed the need for collective efforts to further promote bilateral trade between Nepal and Germany, and encourage and promote networks between the private sectors of both countries. Dr Rana also urged Germany to invest in areas including chemical fertilizer production.
During the meeting, Dr Rana shared Nepal’s ongoing preparations for a smooth and sustainable graduation from a least developed country by 2026. She expressed Nepal’s expectation of continued support in the form of resources, technology and financial support from Germany, the European Union and other partners.
Similarly, she requested Germany’s support for Nepal’s candidacies for key positions in international bodies, especially for membership in the UN Human Rights Council (2027 to 2029), the Economic and Social Council (2029 to 2031) and as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2037 to 2038).
In response, German Foreign Minister Wadephul expressed his commitment to support Nepal in these areas.
Germany is Nepal’s second largest tourist source in Europe. However, Dr Rana noted that Nepal has yet to fully utilise this potential due to the lack of direct air connectivity. She urged direct flights between the two countries to boost tourism and trade.She also sought Germany’s role in removing the European Union’s aviation safety ban on Nepali airlines, expressing concerns that the ban has seriously affected the promotion of tourism.
Dr Rana informed that the Government of Nepal has tabled two bills in the parliament to restructure the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal in line with global best practices, following the recommendations of the EU and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
She urged Germany’s role in facilitating the removal of the ban, to which Minister Wadephul promised to provide all possible assistance.
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PM Oli inspects flood-hit areas in Rasuwa, Nuwakot districts
Kathmandu, July 8: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli made an onsite visit to the flood-hit areas and the damages to the public properties caused by the floods in Bhotekoshi river in Rasuwa district. He has returned to the Capital City after the inspection.
During the visit, Prime Minister Oli held discussions with the local administrators, people’s representatives and local residents there regarding the losses, rescue and relief.
Likewise, the Prime Minister expressed concern about those missing in the swollen river, the damages to the dry port of Rasuwagadhi Customs along the Nepal-China border, the loss caused following the sweeping away of goods-laden trucks.
So far, 20 people have been reported missing in the disaster including three Nepali Police personnel, five drivers, six workers of the dry port and six Chinese nationals.
Likewise, the plant of the 111 megawatt capacity Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project and the Chilime Hydropower Project of 20 megawatts have suffered damages leading to the suspension of power generation from the two projects.
The flood in the Lhende river also swept away the Miteri Pul along the Nepal-China border, disconnecting the cross border connectivity there.
Prime Minister Oli was joined by Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Energy Minister Dipak Khadka, PM’s chief advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, chief secretary of government Eaknarayan Aryal, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song and chiefs of all four security bodies in the inspection team.
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PM Oli urges Nepalis living in Texas, USA to remain vigilant
Kathmandu, July 8: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged Nepalis living in Texas, USA to remain vigilant.
Taking to his social media account today, Prime Minister Oli urged Nepalis living in Texas to be vigilant to the flash floods taking there. Prime Minister Oli also paid tributes to those who lost their lives due to the floods in Texas, which have claimed more than 100 lives.
“Many Nepalis live in Texas, USA. There are reports that more than 100 people have died due to flash floods. I pay tributes to all those who lost their lives due to the floods in Texas. I urge Nepalis living there to be vigilant,” Prime Minister Oli wrote.
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Call to observe vigilance in Kaligandaki coastal area
Myagdi, July 8: The District Administration Office has issued a notice calling upon people living in the coastal areas of Kaligandaki River in Myagdi to remain alert, considering the risk of floods in Chhukar River in Namdok, Lomanthang Rural Municipality-4, Mustang.
Chief District Officer Gurudatta Dhakal issued a notice this evening, urging residents of the coastal areas to be alert.
The Chhukar is a tributary of the Kaligandaki River. Gopchepani Titar, Dana Ghara, Sukebagar, Guinthe Bhurung, Tatopani, Pokharebgar, Thulobagar, Mahabhir, Tiplyang, Baisari, Ghumune Tal, Tilkeni and Kalipul area of Beni in Annapurna Rural Municipality are settlements located in the coastal areas of Kaligandaki River.
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NDRRMC meeting: Search and rescue of missing persons in Rasuwagadhi floods to be made effective
Kathmandu, July 8: The meeting today of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has decided to continue and make the search and rescue work of missing nationals and foreigners in the flash floods that hit Rasuwagadhi, Gosainkunda Rural Municipality-2, Rasuwa last night more effective. It has issued directives to the concerned bodies for the same.
The meeting held at the Prime Minister’s residence, Baluwatar, under the chair of Prime Minister and Council Chair KP Sharma Oli, took stock of the possible causes of the floods and the details of the damage sustained so far, and thanked the security personnel and local people involved in the search and rescue in a risky situation. It also expressed heartfelt tributes to those who lost their lives in the accident and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
The meeting has decided to coordinate with China through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to operate the Kerung border crossing after the Miteri Bridge
over the Bhotekoshi River at Rasuwagadhi, the Nepal-China border transit, was washed away and road traffic was closed.
The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has been instructed to make arrangements for the operation of road infrastructure, while a decision was taken to make necessary preparations for the smooth operation of alternative border crossings with China.
Similarly, the concerned ministries have been instructed to quickly repair and operate the damaged infrastructure of customs, immigration, and hydropower projects. The Ministry of Finance has been instructed to facilitate insurance for damage to containers, vehicles, and other assets of the businesspersons.
The council meeting has decided that the Ministry of Home Affairs will make arrangements for providing immediate relief to the families of the deceased and missing persons in the incident as per the prevailing law, and the Ministry of Health and Population will make arrangements for free treatment of the injured.
Likewise, it was decided to direct all the concerned bodies to conduct necessary studies to identify the cause of the incident, prepare for future incidents, and coordinate with the concerned bodies of the neighbouring China.
The concerned bodies have been also directed to remain alert and work on preparedness and response as more than average rainfall has been forecast for this year. In the council meeting held immediately after returning from the on-site observation of the damaged area in Rasughadhi, Prime Minister Oli said that an unexpected disaster beyond the forecast and imagination has occurred and the damage witnessed.
Prime Minister Oli also shared that he had urged the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal today to help immediately build a bailey bridge in place of the washed away Miteri Bridge and stressed the need to prepare for the systematic operation of alternative routes, including the Korala checkpoint in Mustang.
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Doctors’ nationwide protest pushes patients at lurch
Chitwan, July 8: Patients are bearing the brunt of doctors’ nation-wide protest since medical services, except for emergencies- remain shut across all public and private healthcare facilities in the country including Chitwan district.
The protest waged by healthcare providers under the leadership of the Nepal Medical Association, umbrella organization of medical doctors, has also directly affected patients at Bharatpur Hospital in the district.
Patients arriving at Bharatpur Hospital are turning away from the Hospital after the doctors continue their protest for lack of timely response to their demands.
Emergency and urgent surgeries are continuing while regular services have been suspended. The Hospital has been treating cancer patients from 25 districts across the country as well as neighbouring India.
Sarita Darai, who came from Rising rural municipality of Tanahu district for the treatment of her father-in-law, grieved that they could not avail treatment due to protest. “We had been to the Hospital for the treatment of skin’s disease. We have been waiting since Monday, only to find out that all services except for emergency are closed,” she lamented, ranting that it was a waste of time and money.
Likewise, Dil Bahadur Kunwar Khadka, 60, of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-12 in Chitwan district, echoed similar disappointment after being unable to access healthcare services for his health issue. “I somehow managed time to visit hospital but the shutdown of services in the Hospital made it more difficult for someone like me who had come on a leave from the office,” the elderly frowned in frustration.
Patients from outside of the district like Gopi Mukhiya of Sarlahi district are struggling with accommodation and meal issue due to prolonged protest.
Mukhiya came the Hospital some 10 days ago for his wife’s treatment. As the time to show report to the doctor following various medical tests arrived, the protest ensued leaving his wife and him at lurch.
Like them, many patients including Dhanmaya Shrestha of Thori rural municipality of Parsa district, Dandapani Sapkota of Bharatpur-5 in Chitwan district are facing similar problems.
Patients in other hospitals such as BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Chitwan Medical College, College of Medical Science and Bharatpur Eye Hospital among others are also affected.
NMA’s Chitwan Chapter’s senior Vice-President Dr Dilendra Neupane mentioned that they were staging protest against Consumer Court’s recent verdict. The verdict imposed a severe penalty on the doctors found guilty of gross negligence that led to serious complications and patients’ death.
He warned that they would continue with the protest until their demands were addressed.
Association’s Chitwan Chapter’s President Dr Umesh Nepal explained that they were forced to protest as their demands were unheeded as yet.
Chitwan Medical College’s Executive Director Pratap Devkota urged the government to address the protesting doctors’ demand at the earliest and resume other services in the hospitals, noting the mounting pressure on emergency services.
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Study initiated to confirm possible causes of massive Rasuwa floods
Kathmandu, July 8: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has said that it has started a study to confirm the causes behind the massive floods that occurred in Bhotekoshi river in Rasuwa district on Tuesday morning.
Chief of the Department’s Flood Forecasting Division, Binod Parajuli, said that study of the satellite images have been initiated to ascertain the possible causes of the flood and the impacts of flood on the riverbanks.
He stated that there are several glacial lakes in the Bhotekoshi water reservoir in China’s Tibet area.
As per the initial observation and the details provided by the hydrology and meteorology centres, heavy rain could not be considered a cause of the massive flood in the Bhotekoshi river, he claimed.
The Kyanzing meteorology centre close to China and the next one in Dhunche showed that the area received sporadic rainfall.
The weather radar in Palpa also showed no rainfall in the bordering area of Nepal and China in Rasuwa district.
Likewise, the satellite-based rainfall forecasting guidance system of the World Meteorology Organization also stated that the Bhotekoshi water reservoir site did not receive heavy rain in the past 24 hours, thereby the rain could not be the cause behind the flood.
A flash flood had entered the Bhotekoshi river from Tibet at 3:00 am and the water level at Timure of Rasuwa had increased by 3.5 meters.
According to Parajuli, the riverbank areas in Rasuwa and Trishuli were severely impacted and the impacts are medium to normal from Nuwakot to Benighat area in Dhading.
Parajuli has urged one and all to exercise precautions though the flood in the river is receding. Meanwhile, the ICIMOD also stated that it is too early to determine the exact cause of the flood event in Rasuwa stating that ‘we can confirm that extreme rainfall was not the cause’. A comprehensive investigation is required, but we need to wait for the monsoon cloud cover to clear first to obtain clear satellite imagery for detailed analysis, it said.
A multidisciplinary team consisting of geologists, glaciologists, hydro-meteorologists and remote sensing analysts should jointly undertake a study to determine the actual cause of the flood, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) stated.
It also said that while a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) or a Landslide Lake Outburst Flood (LLOF) is suspected, there is no conclusive evidence yet. The ICIMOD’s 2021 inventory shows one glacial lake in the upstream of the Trishuli river in Tibet Autonomous Region of China categorised as high risk, and needs close monitoring. As cloud cover has hampered optical satellite analysis, we must wait for cloud-free, high-resolution satellite imagery to verify if any of these lakes have breached, or if there has been any sudden change in lake volume, according to the ICIMOD.
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Doctors call off protest after three-point agreement reached with govt
Kathmandu, July 8: Protesting doctors have put off their protest after government and Nepal Medical Association reached a three-point agreement.
Talks were held among Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Paudel, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari and representatives from the Ministry of Health and Population and the Nepal Medical Council, the umbrella organization of the medical doctors.
Doctors across the country had been staging protest over Consumer Court’s verdict that imposed hefty penalty on the doctors found guilty of gross negligence that led to serious complications and patients’ death.
The healthcare providers had been shutting down all services except for emergences in the private and public healthcare facilities across the nation leaving patients at lurch since the protest on last Monday and today.
As per the newly inked agreement, a task force would be formed to furnish recommendations on the amendment on the existing legal and policy provisions. The task force has been tasked to submit a report within seven days.
Similarly, it has been agreed that the report received from the task force will be submitted to the dialogue team and implemented accordingly. It has also been agreed that the concerned ministry will seek in-principle consent from the Council of Ministers within 11 days for the necessary amendments to the existing legal and policy provisions, including the Consumer Protection Act, 2075 BS, and that the process for amending the law through the fast-track method will be taken forward.
As a result, the Nepal Medical Association has agreed to suspend all types of protests with effect from today and resume regular services.
It may be noted that the doctors had launched the protest demanding amendments to the Consumer Protection Act, 2075 BS, after the Consumer Court imposed hefty penalty including financial compensation to some hospitals and doctors for negligence in the treatment of patients.
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