- Saturday, 30 August 2025
Kathmandu, Aug 5: Dang, Bardiya and Banke have received extremely heavy rainfall since last night. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Jalakundi measuring center in Dang recorded the falling of 227 millimeters in the past 11 hours.
Similarly, Sikta in Banke has also received 200 millimeters of rainfall, while Manpur in Bardiya received 167 millimeters of rainfall. Dang has received more than 25 millimeters of rainfall in the past one hour.
According to meteorologist at the Weather Forecasting Division Hari Prasad Dahal, more rainfall is likely in western Nepal this afternoon and tonight.
In the last six hours, heavy rain has fallen in Tulsipur, Ambapur, Jalakundi in Dang, West Rapti in Banke, Sikta, Manpur Rainfall Center in Bardiya and surrounding areas. The Flood Forecasting Division has requested to adopt high alert as there is a risk of flash floods and inundation in low-lying areas in Babai, West Rapti River, Duduwa River and other small rivers flowing through the area.
Currently, the monsoon winds are affecting the country. The monsoon will remain active for a few more days in the country, adds the Division.
The weather in most of the country today is cloudy, with light to moderate rain occurring in most parts of Lumbini, Madhes, Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces, as well as in some places in Koshi and Bagmati Provinces.
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Third UN Conference on LLDCs begins, PM Oli’s address today
Awaza (Turkmenistan), Aug 5: The Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) began here today.
Hojamyrat Geldimyradov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, and Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General welcomed the heads of the nations and the heads of the governments to the Conference venue at the Awaza-based Sports Complex.
In his address to an inaugural session, the UN Secretary General stressed the need for collective efforts with essential support and coordination to increase the LLDCs’ access to international competitive markets and to address challenges they are facing.
The President of the host nation, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, stressed the need for South-South cooperation to address economic and social challenges being faced by landlocked developing countries. He also pressed the need for active engagement of parliamentary forums, youth, and civil society networks to address these challenges.
Similarly, the President of the 79th United Nations General Assembly, Dennis Francis, also addressed the opening session.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to address the Conference as the Chair of the Global Coordination Bureau of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and in national capacity today, itself.
The Prime Minister will also co-chair a high-level roundtable of the Conference and address other events.
Besides, the Prime Minister will meet heads of delegations from various countries and other high-level dignitaries of the UN and other international organizations on the margins of the Conference.
Prime Minister Oli arrived here on August 4, leading a Nepali delegation to Conference that concludes on August 8. The Prime Minister is accompanied by his spouse Radhika Shakya, Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Member of the Federal Parliament, Surya Bahadur Thapa Kshetree, Prime Minister’s private doctor Prof Dr Dibya Singh Shah, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and other high-ranking government officials.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to return home on August 8.
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Acting PM stresses on precaution and vigilance
Kathmandu, Aug 5: Acting Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh has directed all government bodies to adopt necessary precautions considering the risks of monsoon-induced disaster.
A meeting held at the Urban Development Ministry today in presence of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Defense Minister Manbir Rai, Chief Secretary Eaknarayan Aryal, Executive Chief of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, Dinesh Bhatta, the Acting Prime Minister enquired about the weather of different places of the country and possible risks.
On the occasion, he asked the bodies concerned to remain prepared, to prevent damages if any incident occurs, to stay on ‘high-alert’ for search and rescue.
Acting Prime Minister Singh also directed to disseminate SMS alert and make early warning system effective through local media and security bodies in risk-prone areas.
Similarly, Executive Chief Bhatta briefed the meeting that the monsoon system remains active today in Dang, Banke and Bardiya of Lumbini Province and there is possibility that Bardiya might be inundated within four-five hours as Babai river and Rapti river have crossed danger level following heavy rainfall.
Likewise, the Acting Prime Minister also enquired about drought condition seen in Madhes Province.
In response, Bhatta shared that light rainfall has been taking place in Madhes and 80 per cent paddy plantation has been completed. He further informed the meeting that there is possibility of heavy rainfall in Kailali and Kanchanpur tonight.
Similarly, Home Minister Lekhak mentioned that a directive has been issued for Chief District Officers, Chiefs of District-based security bodies, chief administrative officers of local levels not to leave their workplace unless in an emergency.
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Butwal-Narayangadh road remains obstructed
Madhyabindu (Nawalparasi), Aug 5: The Butwal-Narayangadh road section remains obstructed for traffic since Monday morning. The road was obstructed after a landslide occurred in the Daunne hills along the East-West Highway.
The highway was obstructed after continuous rain triggered landslides, and slippery conditions in the Daunne hills of Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality-2 of Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), said Superintendent of Police Yadav Dhakal of the District Police Office Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East).
As a result, hundreds of passengers and vehicles are now stranded on the road since the past 24 hours.
This section of road has seen frequent obstruction due to dry landslide as well as rain-induced mudslide since the expansion of the Butwal-Narayangadh road section began some years ago.
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Babai river crosses danger-level
Kathmandu, Aug 5: The level of water in the Babai river has crossed danger-level following continuous rainfall.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the river’s water-level has now reached 7.1 meters.
A water level of 5.5 meters is considered to be at a ‘warning’ level while 6.8 meter as ‘danger’ level, the Department has said while urging all to adopt precaution as Bardiya and Dang are the risk of flooding.
Flood expert of the Department, Binod Parajuli, said district administrations, local levels and general people have been alerted through message to remain alert.
Similarly, the Mahakali River has also reached near the danger-level. The water-level at small streams in Kavrepalanchowk, Makawanpur, Dang, Banke, Chitwan, Kailali, Kanchanpur and surrounding districts are also likely to increase and there is high risk of flash floods, stated the Department.
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Minister Lekhak assures of assuring public concerns while amending laws
Kathmandu, Aug 5: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said the Legislative Committee under the Council of Ministers will make sure that public concerns are addressed while amending laws.
Talking to media following a meeting of the Bill Committee under the Council of Ministers at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers at Singha Durbar earlier today, the Minister said a need has been felt for further discussions and amendments regarding provisions related to polygamy, the legal age of marriage, advanced bail and imprisonment and fines.
“A sub-committee has been formed within the Committee to address with these issues,” he said.
He informed that in today’s meeting, amendments were proposed for five bills relating to the Criminal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Civil Code, Civil Procedure Code, and the law related to the determination of jail sentencing.
The sub-committee formed by the today’s meeting, will consult with respective ministries and relevant bodies to conclude the matters. All the matters will be sorted out by the Committee, according to him.
As the Minister said, the Committee secretary would make the necessary coordination, including with the Ministry of Law towards that end.
The Minister called the meeting to discuss the proposed law that seeks to amend the National Criminal Code Act, 2074, for legalizing polygamy under certain specific circumstances, among others.
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Probe committee on cooling-off period submits its report
Kathmandu, Aug 5: The Special Committee formed by the parliament to investigate errors in the Report on the Federal Civil Service Bill has submitted its report to the Speaker Devraj Ghimire today.
Committee coordinator Jeevan Pariyar submitted the report to the Speaker at the Federal Parliament Building, New Baneshwor.
The committee finalized its report last night and had decided to submit it in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives. The committee held 37 meetings over 29 days to finalize the report.
The House of Representatives had formed a high-level special probe committee on July 6, after provisions related to cooling-off period in the Bill came against that was decided by the parliamentary committee that finalized the bill.
The committee comprised Jeevan Pariyar (coordinator) and Sushila Thing from the Nepali Congress, Narayan Prasad Acharya and Ishwori Gharti from the CPN (UML), Madhav Sapkota from the CPN (Maoist Center), Ganesh Parajuli from the Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Roshan Karki from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party.
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Earthquake recorded in Myagdi
Kathmandu, Aug 5: An earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale was measured to have taken place at around 1:03 pm with its epicenter near Gurjakhani of Myagdi.
The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre confirmed the fresh quake occurred in Myagdi district of Gandaki Province.
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Lawmakers asks government to protect citizen’s lives, properties
Kathmandu, Aug 5: Lawmakers have drawn the attention of the government to protect the lives and properties of the people from possible natural disaster following incessant rainfall taking place at different places of the country.
During emergency hour of today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, they asked the government to bring the highways, obstructed due to flood and landslide, into operation and make arrangement of alternative routes.
On the occasion, Sher Bahadur Kunwar of the CPN (Unified Socialist) urged the government to start efforts to protect the people of disaster-prone areas from possible natural disaster as monsoon system remains active in Tarai and West Nepal.
Sharing that highways across the country have been affected due to rain, Thakur Prasad Gaire of the CPN (UML) drew government’s attention to create environment immediately for safe travel across the country.
Similarly, Narayani Sharma of the CPN (Maoist Centre) mentioned that cases of snakebite have increased day by day in Tarai-Madhes and demanded arrangement of snakebite treatment in local-level.
Prabhu Sah of Aam Janata Party asked the government to provide appropriate relief to farmers of drought-hit Tarai-Madhes.
Drawing the government’s attention to make arrangement of quality education in Nepal, Chandra Kant Bhandari of the Nepali Congress stressed the need of ending the compulsion of going abroad for employment and education.
Likewise, independent lawmaker Dr Amaresh Kumar Singh demanded stern action against those manhandling the staffs working at the residence of former Minister Jaya Prakash Gupta.
Meanwhile, lawmakers of the opposition parties—Rastriya Swatantra Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party boycotted today’s meeting saying the government has been dillydallying to form a high-level probe commission to investigate the VISIT VISA scandal.
In the beginning of the meeting, RSP lawmaker Biraj Bhakta Shrestha clarified that they would continue the protest in the parliament until their demands are addressed as an existing probe committee could not make detail study for the solution of the visit visa related problems.
Likewise, Deepak Bahadur Singh of RPP shared that his party would boycott the meeting and would not take meeting allowance until the high-level probe commission is formed.
RSP and RPP lawmakers exited from the meeting after putting forth views from their respective parties.
Demand to solve the problem of Kerung border crossing
Chief Whip of the CPN (UML) Mahesh Kumar Bartauta has drawn the government’s attention to the problem of bringing goods from China due to the obstruction of the Kerung road section in Rasuwa transit point.
In today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, he drew the government’s attention to the problem of importing goods from China as the festival season approaches.
MP Meena Tamang demanded a ban on the operation of polluting industries in Paanchkhal Municipality-8 and 9 of Kavrepalanchok. “The Shwabaneshwor Mahadev Temple, which has a history dating back to the Lichchhavi period, and the settlements connected to it in Panchkhal Municipality-8 and 9 of Kavrepalanchok district are at risk due to industrial pollution.”
Likewise, MP Maina Karki said the society’s view of a single woman is traditional and conservative. Hence, the state should invest in their economic empowerment.
MPs Mangal Prasad Gupta, Rana Kumari Balampaki Magar, Ranju Kumari Jha, Rama Koirala Paudyal, Rajendra Bajgain, Ram Kumar Rai, Rukmini Rana Baraili, Rupashoshi Chaudhary, Rekha Sharma, Lalu Prasad Sanwa Limbu, Bijula Rayamajhi, Bidya Bhattarai and Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai, among others, drew the government’s attention towards various contemporary issues.
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Government implements measures in bid to ensure Nepal’s exit from FATF grey list: Minister Paudel
Kathmandu, Aug 5: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Bishnu Prasad Paudel, has said that the government will implement a special action plan, including a campaign to recover unpaid taxes, in the current fiscal year. According to the Minister, these initiatives are essential to meet the revenue collection target.
Responding to concerns raised by lawmakers during a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, the Finance Minister said the government has introduced comprehensive policies and programmes to accelerate revenue mobilization and prevent money laundering.
In response to lawmaker Surya Prasad Gautam, the Minister said that total revenue collection last year amounted to Rs 1,196 billion, an 11.33 percent rise compared to the previous year. “The government has set an even higher target for the current fiscal year.”
To achieve this, an internal revenue mobilization strategy has been implemented. The Ministry is regularly reviewing revenue collections and is prepared to launch an action plan intended at the recovery of tax arrears, according to him.
The Minister also stated that corrective tax approach has been introduced through the current fiscal year’s budget. These include adjustments to tax rates, expansion of the tax base, promotion of tax compliance, and effective operation of the digital tax system, he added.
“The government is fully committed to enhancing the efficiency and capacity of the overall revenue administration,” the Minister assured.
During the session, lawmaker Prem Suwal questioned the government about Nepal’s positioning on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. In response, the Finance Minister said the government has taken significant measures, including amendments to 19 laws, to ensure Nepal’s removal from the list.
Besides, new rules and directives have been issued and implemented. The enforcement of the Money Laundering Prevention Regulation, 2081 (2024) and the Rapid Economic Implementation Action Plan, 2082 (2025) is part of the government’s effort to address FATF concerns, as the Minister informed the lower house session.
Further, directives have been issued to dealers of precious metals and stones, casino operators, and real estate businesses to improve transparency and accountability in the financial system.
He went on to say that four coordination mechanisms established for regulation, investigation, counter-terrorism and implementation facilitation reflect the government’s seriousness in meeting FATF standards.
“We are not only committed to exiting the FATF grey list but also to ensuring that Nepal does not fall into such a situation again in the future,” the Minister affirmed.
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Probe committee report on cooling-off period tabled in HoR
Kathmandu, Aug 5: The Special Committee formed by the parliament to investigate errors in the Report on the Federal Civil Service Bill tabled its report before the House of Representatives today.
The Committee Coordinator Jeevan Pariyar tabled the report while stating that it was found during the probe that the bill was not thoroughly discussed in a clause-wise manner, the revised report was not reviewed by the committee members, and that it was neither discussed.
He informed the House that there was no system to integrate the original bill with the draft report and furthermore the sides responsible of integrating the bill into the draft report did not fulfill their obligations, resulting in failure to follow the legal compliance.
The Committee report has suggested that appropriate arrangements be made regarding the error, as political figures have political and moral responsibilities and civil servants have official and legal responsibilities. The committee has suggested that the practice of viewing and studying the original bill and the committee’s original report in an integrated manner be initiated to prevent such errors from occurring in the future.
It also suggests limiting the level of representatives of the concerned ministries to the committee during the clause-wise discussion on the bill, making the minister presenting the bill more accountable and balance confidentiality and transparency in sensitive discussions.
The chair of the concerned parliamentary committee should read out the amendments made to the bill to all members during the decision-making process and develop a system for members to sign on the decisions, said Committee Coordinator Pariyar while presenting the findings of the investigation.
Earlier, the Committee Coordinator Pariyar had submitted the report to Speaker Devraj Ghimire at the Federal Parliament Building, New Baneshwor.
The committee finalized its report last night and had decided to submit it in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives. The committee held 37 meetings over 29 days to finalize the report.
The House of Representatives had formed a high-level special probe committee on July 6, after provisions related to cooling-off period in the Bill came against that was decided by the parliamentary committee that finalized the bill.
The committee comprised Jeevan Pariyar (coordinator) and Sushila Thing from the Nepali Congress, Narayan Prasad Acharya and Ishwori Gharti from the CPN (UML), Madhav Sapkota from the CPN (Maoist Center), Ganesh Parajuli from the Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Roshan Karki from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party.
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‘Alternative Development Finance Mobilization Bill’ sent for clause-wise discussion
Kathmandu, Aug 5: The House of Representatives has sent ‘Alternative Development Finance Mobilization Bill-2081’ to the respective committee for clause-wise discussion.
In today’s meeting, the proposal presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel to send the bill to the respective committee for clause-wise discussion was passed unanimously.
Likewise, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ramnath Adhikari, presented the Nepal Veterinary Council (First Amendment) Bill.
Earlier, the HoR had passed the proposal related to changes of the members at different thematic committees under the HoR presented by Speaker Devraj Ghimire.
Expressing tributes to lawmaker Khagraj Sharma, who passed away on July 21, the meeting passed a condolence motion. Sharma was elected to the House of Representatives in 2048 BS from the CPN (UML).
The HoR will meet next on Wednesday.
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