- Friday, 29 August 2025
Kathmandu, July 19: The Independent Power Producers Association, Nepal (IPPAN) has urged all hydropower projects to remain on high alert for the next three days. The call was made in view of the forecast by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology of heavy rainfall across the country on July 19, 20 and 21.
Following an agreement between IPPAN and the Department to exchange flood early warning information, the Department has been continuously sharing information with IPPAN for preparedness. “The department has predicted heavy rainfall in eastern Nepal from the evening of July 19 to the morning of July 21”, says a statement issued by IPPAN here today.
Koshi, Tamor, Arun, Tamakoshi, Dudhkoshi, Kankai in eastern Nepal are likely to see significant rise in water level, with the Koshi River possibility reaching or exceeding the danger level. The weather system, which will be active from eastern Nepal, will move towards western Nepal. The Bagmati River floods in likely to affect the Kathmandu Valley and lower coastal areas, and the Mahakali River and its coastal areas are likely to flood by the afternoon of July 21, the statement said.
The districts of Baglung, Myagdi, Parbat, Syangja, Palpa, Nawalparasi, Rupandehi and other areas in central Nepal will be affected along Narayani watershed. In addition, there is a possibility of moderate impact on the Rapti and Babai regions in the west.
The IPPAN has urged all hydropower projects under-construction and in operation across the country, including those affiliated with IPPAN, to take precautionary measures to minimize potential human and material losses from disasters, taking into account the weather-related warnings.
Recalling the incident in which the flood in the Bhotekoshi River on July 8 caused major damage to more than half a dozen hydropower projects under-construction and operational in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, and other past incidents, the IPPAN has urged for caution to avoid such incidents in the future.
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1,000 saplings planted in Dhulikhel
Kavre, July 19: A total of 1,000 saplings of different species of trees were planted in Dhulikhel Janmotsav Park and the adjoining areas on Saturday.
Chief Secretary Eaknarayan Aryal, Inspector General of Nepal Police Dipak Thapa, Inspector General of Armed Police Force Nepal Raju Aryal and other dignitaries marked the beginning of the campaign by planting the saplings.
Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security Krishnahari Pushkar, Mayor of Dhulikhel Ashok Byanju and Deputy Mayor Nirajan Jangam and officials from different government agencies, and media persons were present on the occasion.
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Five people killed in wild elephant attacks in a year
Belbari (Morang), July 19: A 45-year-old women died in a wild elephant attack in Belbari, Morang last Sunday. Amina Rajbanshi was the fifth person to have died in wild elephant attacks in Morang in a year.
Rajbanshi of Bansbari, Belbari Municipality-8, was attacked by a wild elephant when she went to water her paddy field near her house, said District Police Office Spokesperson and Deputy Superintendent of Police Kopila Chundal. On Thursday morning of the same week, Amit Limbu, 41, of Bhaunne, Belbari-10, was seriously injured in a wild elephant attack and is undergoing treatment at Nobel Medical College, Biratnagar.
In the fiscal year 2081/82, three women and two men died in wild elephant attacks in the district, according to the Division Forest Office. Three people died in Sundarharaicha Municipality, one each in Belbari Municipality and Letang Municipality, said Officer Bimal KC.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Chundal said that the incidents of attacks have increased as wild elephants have started entering settlements in search of food and safety due to increasing deforestation and incident of forest fire.
According to the statistics of the Division Forest Office, 17 people have died in elephant attacks since 2068 BS. The office stated that nine elephants died during that period. Of these, four died of natural causes, two were killed by poachers, one was shot dead and one from electrocution.
Meanwhile, the Division Forest Office has requested everyone to take necessary precautions in the areas surrounding the forest, and not to leave their homes at night except for essential work, and to keep lights on outside their homes.
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Govt committed to solving drinking water problems: Minister Yadav
Itahari (Sunsari), July 19: Minister for Water Supply Pradeep Yadav has said that the government is focused on solving drinking water problems and improving the living standards of citizens.
Inaugurating the ‘Jhumka Urban Drinking Water and Sanitation Project’ here today, he expressed confidence that the Project will give concrete shape to the possibility of development and the aspirations of the citizens to access pure drinking water facility.
“Because of our activeness and clear vision, the financial progress of the Department of Water Supply has achieved 90 percent. This is a clear proof of the sustainable improvement of our performance capacity,” said Minister Yadav.
Addressing the same event, Mahesh Mahato, Head of the Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Management Project Office Itahari, informed that about 22,787 citizens from 4,031 families of Ramdhuni Municipality-1, 2, 3, and 5 will be directly benefited from the drinking water project inaugurated today.
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Teachers’ training on astronomy begins
Kathmandu, July 19: In a bid to disseminate details about astronomy, a two-day-long teachers’ training workshop began in Kathmandu on Saturday.
Jointly organized by Nepal Astronomical Society and National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, the training workshop has participation of 50 people from Nepal and India.
Society’s Chairman Suresh Bhattarai shared that the participants would be taught about science education and science diplomacy.
During the inaugural session, Nepal’s former ambassador to Austria Prakash Kumar Suvedi pointed out the gaps in science diplomacy stating that government’s commitments to that end are not well implemented.
There are some challenges due to the understanding of technology as science from the public and private sectors, Suvedi said.
Likewise, Thai researcher Dr Matipon Tangmatitham said that knowledge on astronomy could be spread easily through teachers since they are the leaders of the society.
Seven Nepali and six Thai experts are sharing their expert opinions at the workshop.
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Literary works in various genres honoured with ANESAS awards
Kathmandu, July 19: The International Nepali Literary Society (ANESAS) has awarded literary works published in various genres. During ANESAS’s annual general meeting and the 212th Bhanu Jayanti celebration held virtually today, awards were presented.
The biggest prize, the ANESAS Best Book Award worth US$2,100, was presented to Roshan Thapa Nirav for his book “Sixty Days of Terror”.
Similarly, the ANESAS National Poet Best Poetry Award was presented to Krisu Kshetri for “Canvas of Sweat” the ANESAS Best Essay Award to Momila Joshi for “Questions Still Remain” the ANESAS Best Story Award to Krishna Kusum for his short story collection “Background Sound,” the ANESAS Best Criticism, Philosophy, and Culture Award to Dr Durga Bahadur Gharti for “Cultural Studies” and the Best Novel Award to Akhanda Bhandari for “Bora”.
Similarly, the Best Folk Literature Award was given to Shashi Ram Karki’s ‘Folk Tales of Rukum’, the Best Song Ghazal Award to Laxman Sitaula’s song collection ‘The Sound of the Earth’, the Best Children’s Literature Award to Bimala Dhungana Niraula’s ‘Journey Through the Country’, the Best Diaspora Poetry Award to Jagannath Poudel’s poetry collection ‘While Flowing’, and the Best Diaspora Literature Award to Tulsi Acharya’s novel ‘Dreamland’.
The prize for these awards ranges from 500 to 1500 US dollars. Sandhya Pahadi, a member of the award selection committee, stated that the committee recommended the aforementioned works for awards after selecting them in the first and second phases from over two hundred works selected from around the world.
The ANESAS has been playing an important role in promoting the Nepali language, literature, and culture in the international arena.
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UML politburo meeting approves statute amendment proposal
Kathmandu, July 19: The Politburo meeting of the CPN (UML) has approved the report on the proposed amendments to the party statute. The fourth plenary session of the politburo held today at the party headquarters in Chyasal, Lalitpur, unanimously passed the amendment proposal report that was endorsed by the Central Secretariat meeting yesterday.
UML’s publicity department Chief Rajendra Gautam informed that Vice-Chair Bishnu Prasad Paudel, presented the amendment proposal in the meeting. In the meeting chaired by Prime Minister and Party Chairman KP Sharma Oli, 68 politburo members share their views on the report. The proposed amendments include provisions to maintain two categories of membership in the party: organized membership and general party membership; the removal of the 70-year age limit and the two-term limit for leadership positions; and the agreement to consider district committees as executive committees.
The meeting also held a serious discussion on the renewal of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s party membership and her potential active participation in party politics. “Although the topic of former President Bhandari was discussed, we have not yet reached a firm conclusion,” Gautam said.
“Majority of the members expressed that it is a serious matter for someone who has held a high state office and served as a guardian of the constitution to become actively involved in politics. The party will consult as necessary and make a decision at the appropriate time.”
He informed that the issue of former President Bhandari will also be discussed in the upcoming Central Committee meeting. “There is no reason for the party to have any bias or prejudice against former President Bhandari. The party seriously and positively discussed the highest position to which she was appointed,” said Gautam.
“Now, the decision on this matter will be made by the next Central Committee meeting.” The amendment proposal to the statute, passed today, will be presented at the Central Committee meeting scheduled for July 21. The UML’s statute convention is set to be held from September 5 to 7 at the Sunrise International Convention Centre in Godavari, Lalitpur.
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Solar power supplied in Tilicho lake
Manang, July 19: Power supply in Tilicho lake, the lake in the world’s highest altitude, has been managed through solar energy.
Power supply is made there at the altitude of 4,949 meters above from the sea level through the solar energy.
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has supplied power in the lake by keeping solar boards of 390 watts.
Chief of Manang Distribution Centre of NEA, Raju Mahato, said the area in Tilicho lake is electrified with the arrangement of solar sheets.
The famous tourist site in the country has now access to power for different facilities including mobile phone charge and others.
The power from the national grid is supplied to the base camp of the lake at the altitude of 4,250 meters above the sea level. But it takes some three hours to reach the lake from the base camp.
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