- Wednesday, 8 July 2026
Tulsipur (Dang), July 6: Bagar at Dangisharan Rural Municipality-6 in Dang is facing a shortage of drinking water. The issue is not the absence of water sources, but rather the proper management to supply water from the available resources.
Although there are two water sources within the village, no physical infrastructure has been built to collect and distribute the water.
As a result, locals are forced to walk for half an hour to reach the water resources.
Fetching water is even more time- consuming, as villages have to wait for up to an hour in line for their turn, complained Sita Chaudhary.
Bagar, home to about 150 households, is particularly affected in areas such as Thandi Bazaar, Bankhalyan, Nayagaun, and Gothigaun.
Local Ameshan Chaudhary suggested that if water from the two nearby springs were collected in an overhead tank and distributed, the problem could be solved.
Earlier, the villages tried to manage the water through a deep-boring system, but it proved unsustainable. After digging a deep borewell, taps were installed, yet to their dismay, water flowed only for a short period. Now, those taps run dry, leaving the community without a reliable source of drinking water.
Locals complain that their repeated requests to the three-tier government to address this pressing issue have gone unheard. They say they do not know whether their concerns are acknowledged, and their problem is solved.
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02- Weather forecast for today: moderate rain likely in some places
Kathmandu, July 6: Presently, the country is under the influence of monsoon winds. The Monsoon Trough lies south of its average position over eastern Nepal and near its average position over western Nepal, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.
The Division says that it is generally cloudy today in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, while it is partially cloudy in Madhes province. According to the report, moderate to heavy rain is occurring with thunderstorms in a few places in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces.
The Department forecasts that the mountainous and hilly regions of the country will be generally cloudy this afternoon, while similar conditions are expected in the Terai regions of Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpaschim provinces. There will be partly cloudy in the Terai plains of Koshi, Madhes and Bagmati provinces.
Moderate to heavy rain and snowfall with thunderstorms is likely in some places in the mountainous and hilly areas, while moderate to heavy rain and snowfall with thunderstorms may occur in a few places in the Terai regions of Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim provinces, at one or two places in the Terai regions of Koshi Province and Madhesh Province.
Windstorms are expected in some places of the Terai regions of Madhesh Province as well as Koshi and Bagmati Provinces.
Tonight, there will be generally cloudy across the country, with a possibility of moderate to heavy rain and snowfall with thunderstorms in a few places of the mountainous areas.
Moderate to heavy rain and snowfall with thunderstorms are expected in some places in the hilly and Terai regions of Koshi, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpaschim provinces, in a few places in the hilly and Terai regions of Madhesh Province, as well as the hilly and Terai regions of Karnali Province and in the hilly and Terai regions of Bagmati Province.
The possibility remains for heavy rainfall at one or two places in the hilly and Terai areas of Koshi, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces.
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03- Fly Dubai representatives, Pokhara-based tourism community discuss ways for sustainability of Pokhara-Dubai service
Gandaki, July 6: Representatives of Fly Dubai and Pokhara-based tourism entrepreneurs met on Sunday to explore measures for the sustainability of the Pokhara-Dubai flight service.
Flights on the Pokhara-Dubai route are scheduled to begin on September 23.
During the meeting held with office-bearers of the Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Restaurant and Bar Association (REBAN) Pokhara, Fly Dubai’s Nepal General Manager Nawaraj Shahi shared about the progress made to make the flight service durable and reliable.
As he highlighted, support from locals and stakeholders is vital for the sustainability of the flight service. According to him, the service directly connects Pokhara with various international destinations such as London, New York, and Tokyo.
During the meeting, President of the Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry Gokarna Karki pledged that the private sector will lend all possible support to make international flights from Pokhara sustainable.
It is noted that the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal had last month granted permission to Fly Dubai to operate Dubai-Pokhara-Dubai flights on a daily basis.
In the meantime, Fly Dubai has already unveiled its flight schedule along the route.
The government had announced in its policy and programme for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84 that diplomatic initiatives would be explored to attract international airline providers to Pokhara International Airport, and Fly Dubai had received flight permission shortly after.
Amidst these developments, tourism entrepreneurs here are hopeful that once the flights begin, a significant number of foreign visitors will arrive here.
So far, the Pokhara International Airport operates no regular international flights, except chartered services to and from a few countries.
The airport was built with a loan of around Rs 22 billion. Since its inauguration on January 1, 2023, its regular flights have been limited to domestic operations.
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04- Rupandehi farmers forced to use groundwater for rice plantation in lack of sufficient rains
Siddharthnagar (Bhairahawa), July 6: A majority of farmers in Rupandehi have been forced to use groundwater to irrigate their fields for rice plantation due to insufficient rainfall this season.
Paddy cultivation is taking place by pumping groundwater in various areas in the district, including Kotahimai, Marchwari, Sammarimai, Gaidahawa and Omsatiya rural municipalities, and Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality.
Farmers here largely depend on rainwater and canal irrigation for rice plantation. However, due to a lack of adequate rains this monsoon, they have been compelled to switch to groundwater-based irrigation systems.
Amit Chauhan of Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality said that canals built here for irrigation have gone dry due to a lack of conservation and maintenance. “They are of no benefit to farmers,” he said.
According to Baijanath Barai of Marchwari Rural Municipality, most farmers in his locality are irrigating their paddy fields with the help of three to four groundwater pump sets simultaneously. As the locals said, this is not a particular problem they face this time, but a constant issue they have been dealing with for years.
The growing dependence on groundwater has increased the cost of farming, especially as diesel prices and electricity tariffs continue to rise.
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05- Over 2,000 vehicles fined for violating traffic rules in 24 hours
Kathmandu, July 6: In the last 24 hours, 2,176 vehicles were fined for violating traffic rules in the Kathmandu Valley.
According to Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office Spokesperson and Superintendent of Police Naresh Prasad Subedi, among them, 81 cases were related to drunk driving, 101 were fined for illegally sharing rides, 159 for violating traffic lights, and 202 for speeding.
In addition, 92 vehicles were fined for breaching lane discipline, 110 for honking in prohibited areas, 110 for parking on pavements in prohibited areas, 66 for violating one-way traffic rules, and 1,055 for violating other traffic rules.
The traffic police collected Rs 1.62 million in revenue from them.
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06- Tourist arrivals decline in Langtang National Park, revenue collection also falls
Rasuwa, July 6: The number of visitors to the Langtang National Park declined in the current fiscal year, compared to the previous fiscal, leading to a drop in the revenue collections as well.
According to data provided by the park administration, the park had welcomed nearly 56,000 tourists last fiscal year, while the number of visitors so far this year stands at 50,360, including 39,011 domestic, 788 from SAARC countries, and 10,561 from other nations.
The decline in tourist arrivals has led to a drop in revenue collections as well. Last year, revenue collections from visitors amounted to Rs 57.7 million, while this year so far, it amounts to Rs 42.8 million, according to park information officer Ganesh Prasad Tiwari.
The Langtang region, which also includes the famous tourist and religious site Gosaikunda, attracts both foreign and domestic tourists. The revenue generated from tourism has been utilised for park protection, biodiversity management, and supporting the local livelihoods.
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07- Rhododendron saplings planted in Mundum trekking route
Bhojpur, July 6: As part of the Sagarmatha afforestation campaign, rhododendron saplings have been planted in the Mundum trail area of Bhojpur, which is known for its tourism and religious significance.
The campaign has been launched to promote greenery, protect the environment, and promote tourism. According to the rural municipality, the Mundum trail has become a major attraction for both local and foreign tourists in recent days.
Rural municipality’s vice-chairperson Ramadevi Rai said that rhododendrons were planted in the rural municipality with the goal of making the trekking route surroundings greener, more attractive, and eco-friendly.
According to him, conserving and expanding the rhododendron, which is also Nepal’s national flower, will help strengthen not just biodiversity but also the local cultural identity.
The rural municipality chair Saroj Basnet, vice-chair Rai, Chief District Officer Rajan Paudel, head of the Division Forest Office Bhojpur Khudrus Miya, and representatives from various government agencies and local communities participated in the tree planting programme held on Sunday.
The head of the Division Forest Office Bhojpur, Miya informed that out of the 500 rhododendron saplings provided, 100 were planted in the first phase. According to him, the remaining 400 saplings will be planted in different phases in the Chakhewa area with the coordination of the rural municipality and the participation of the local community.
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08- Suspension bridge in Dang is becoming a must-visit spot for tourists
Dang, July 6: The suspension bridge linking Tulsipur sub-metropolitan city-11 with Saruwadanda of Dangisharan rural municipality-2 has emerged as a significant tourist attraction for folks from nearby districts.
A steady stream of visitors has started to flock to the bridge that stretches over the Babai River, which winds through a lush, green landscape. People traveling from afar are drawn in by the enchanting views of the river and the bridge, especially during sunset.
Many are seen snapping photos on their phones and cameras, eager to capture the stunning scenery. The bridge has gained even more popularity since last summer. Residents from the neighboring Salyan and Rukum districts are also making their way here in droves to soak in the sights.
Sharada KC from Salyan, who was enjoying the view, shared, “I saw some amazing pictures and videos on social media, and the scene looked incredible. Honestly, it’s definitely worth the trip.” He stressed the importance of enhancing and expanding the bridge area to make it an even more appealing tourist destination.
Journalist Laxman Basnet noted that while the suspension bridge was constructed in 2079 BS, it really started to attract attention last summer. He mentioned that over 1,000 people visited daily to enjoy the refreshing atmosphere and escape the heat during the sweltering days in summer.
The length of the bridge which was built at a cost of Rs 30 million is 400 meters.
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09- 25 couples feted for inter-caste marriage in Myagdi
Myagdi, July 6: In a symbolic step toward promoting social inclusion, Malika rural municipality in Myagdi district has honoured 25 inter-caste couples who recently married into the Dalit community, recognizing their courage in challenging centuries-old caste barriers.
At a special ceremony held on Sunday under the rural municipality’s targeted programme, each couple marrying outside their distinct caste and community were awarded with a cash prize of Rs 3,500 along with a certificate of appreciation.
Beg Prasad Garbuja, Chairperson of the rural municipality, mentioned that the initiative was launched not only to encourage inter-caste marriage but also to send a powerful message against caste-based discrimination, which, he added, continues to persist in many parts of our society.
He asserted, “Our society still has a huge wall of caste discrimination. It is thus imperative to dismantle this centuries-old system.”
He further said, “By honoring inter-caste couples-from senior citizens to young newlyweds-from all seven wards of the rural municipality, we want to inspire social change and promote equality.”
The ceremony, held at the rural municipality headquarters in Darbang, saw presence of elected representatives and officials, including Vice-Chairperson Laxmi Devi Gharti Pun, ward chairpersons, executive members and other local leaders and local residents.
On the occasion, Pratiksha Rasaili, executive member, expressed her concern that many inter-caste couples continue to face social exclusion, prejudice and subtle forms of violence even after marriage.
She noted that the rural municipality launched such a programme for the first time to acknowledge their resilience and reaffirm its commitment to combating discrimination.
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10- Pesticide Risk Reduction Campaign begun in Kalikot
Manma (Kalikot), July 6: A pesticide risk reduction campaign has been initiated in Kalikot with the aim of reducing their use, citing that pesticides have added serious challenges to human health and agriculture.
With the active involvement of the District Agriculture Development Office Kalikot, the Pesticide Risk Reduction Campaign has been effectively carried out by reaching the fields of local farmers and intensifying market monitoring.
Dr. Ratnabir Sunar, head of the Health Service Office in Kalikot, said that the use of chemical pesticides has shown serious effects on human health.
“Excessive pesticide use increases the risk of damaging the liver and kidneys, causing cancer, tumors, reproductive issues, besides affecting the nervous system, resulting in skin allergies, and a weakened immune system,” he said.
District coordination chief Dhanjit Bahadur Shahi said that collaboration with relevant bodies is necessary to control pesticides and promote the production and consumption of safe, clean, and nutritious food.
“We need to continuously run campaigns related to pesticide management to protect biodiversity, develop a healthy lifestyle, and raise public awareness,” he said.
Dhruba Baral, head of the agriculture branch of Khadachakra Municipality, said that they run community-level awareness programmes in coordination with local governments, agriculture, and health sectors to prevent the use of pesticides and promote nutrition-friendly food effectively.
“Awareness campaigns like this should be expanded and there should be strict regulation on use of pesticides and their supply to stop the haphazard and excessive use of pesticides,” he added.
Chief District Officer Gokarna Raj Suyal urged everyone, through this campaign, not to use pesticides randomly on food crops.
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11- NA session underway, lawmakers draw government’s attention to various pressing issues
Kathmandu, July 6: A session of the National Assembly is underway.
In the today’s meeting, the respective ministers from various ministries are scheduled to respond concerns raised during the deliberations on the Appropriation Bill- 2083 BS.
Airing their views in a zero hour of the session, the upper house members drew the government’s attention towards the need to implement its resolution with the Dalit community, ensure road safety, control inflation, promote gender equality and women self-empowerment and enforce traffic rules strictly.
Padam Bahadur Pariyar expressed his concern over the ‘non-implementation’ of government’s announcement to apologize before the Dalit community for the long-existing systematic exclusion of the community and to bring and implement programmes of reforms.
Rukmini Koirala wanted the government to implement effective policies and programmes aimed at bridging the existing gender-gap, eliminating gender-based discrimination and labour exploitation, while Renu Chand raised concerns over a growing graph of road accidents. She urged the government to prioritise the road safety issue.
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