- Saturday, 30 August 2025
Surkhet, July 21: Four people succumbed to dengue fever in the last fiscal year 2081/82 BS in Surkhet district.
According to District Public Health Service Office, Surkhet, the district recorded 1,837 dengue patients and four deaths in the last fiscal year.
Focal person of the Office for the dengue control, Udaya BC, said that the risk of dengue fever is rising every year in Surkhet.
He said 639 cases were reported in the fiscal year 2077/78 and 1,322 cases in 2078/79 while the cases rose to 1,484 in the fiscal year 2079/80.
However, the cases slightly decreased in the year 2080/81.
The Office has identified Birendranagar, Panchapuri and Gurvakot as the high risk zones for dengue fever.
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Heavy rain forecast in one or two places of four provinces today
Kathmandu, July 21: The monsoon wind has its influence throughout the country at present with the monsoon low pressure trough somewhat north to its average position, the Meteorological Forecasting Division said.
There are chances of heavy rainfall at one or two places of Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali provinces today.
As the weather remains generally cloudy throughout the country, light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at some places of Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces and at a few places of the rest of the country, according to the Division.
There is also a possibility of light to moderate rain and snowfall at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous region of the country tonight.
In view of the risk of floods, landslides, and debris flow, the Division has urged the residents to apply precautions and safety measures in urban and Tarai regions.
It has been informed that water levels in large and small rivers and rivulets could rise, potentially affecting daily life, agriculture, health, tourism, and transportation on roads and air traffic near river areas.
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All four doors of Pashupatinath temple open
Kathmandu, July 21: On the occasion of the first Monday of Sawan month, all four doors of the Pashupatinath temple are open from 3 am today for the devotees.
Arun Biset, an official of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), shared that provisions have been arranged considering that around 500,000 devotees would visit and pay homage to the holy shrine.
The Hindus perform pooja to lord Shiva with top reverence by fasting on the Mondays of Sawan month.
A large number of devotees thronged the Pashupatinath temple from early morning today, Biset said.
The PADT has stated that tickets of less than Rs 7,500 will not be issued for the special pooja in the month of Sawan.
Likewise, a free meal is served to the devotees at Pashupathinath temple from Marwari Samaj and this arrangement will be continued every Monday this month.
Furthermore, the PADT has ensured a bus service for free along the ring road in the valley on every Monday for the devotees coming to the Pashupatinath temple.
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Services of National ID partially disrupted
Kathmandu, July 21: The Department of National Identity Card and Civil Registration stated that the services related to the national identity card have been partially disrupted.
Information Officer of the Department, Shivaraj Sedhain, shared that the services of the Department were partly disrupted as the technical teams were working for regular maintenance and capacity enhancement of the Management Information System.
According to Sedhain, online registration, national ID card distribution service, correction of the information, online registration and renewal of the social security allowance recipients and some other services integrated into the MIS were affected. The services were affected from Sunday.
Issuing a public notice, the Department said that entire services would resume immediately after the completion of the maintenance works and capacity enhancement of the MIS.
The Department has urged the service recipients of the national ID card to submit their details and collect the cards offline too.
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122,000 tourists visit Gorkha Durbar Museum
Gorkha, July 21: More than 122,700 tourists visited the Gorkha Durbar Museum in Gorkha district in a year.
Chief of the Gorkha Durbar Museum, Jayanarayan Karki, said that the number of visitors here reached 122,000 including 84,257 domestic tourists in the fiscal year 2081/82 adding that the visitors come here for study and observation purposes.
He said that the number of the visitors has gradually increased as the visitors were 119,187 in the fiscal year 2080/81.
According to Karki, a total of 36,298 students visited the Gorkha Durbar Museum for their academic excursion while 2,003 peoples from the third countries visited the museum.
The Gorkha Durbar Museum was opened for public since 2065 BS.
The museum mostly displays the life of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the unifier of modern Nepal, the weapons used during that time, costumes of different ethnic communities and bands.
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Farmers worried due to prolonged drought in Mahottari
Mahottari, July 21: Paddy seedlings plantation has halted in Mahottari district due to prolonged drought, leaving the farmers here worried. Till the first third week of July, paddy plantation is just around 25 per cent in the district.
Paddy plantation is being done in 40,000 hectares of land in Mahottari out of total 71,570 hectares of arable land, Chief of District Agriculture Knowledge Centre Debananda Raya Yadav said. Paddy plantation was done in more than 42,000 hectares of land last year in Mahottari.
He shared that the state of paddy plantation is not satisfactory adding that only 25 per cent of the paddy plantation is done by supply water through diesel pump, rivers, well, sallow tube well and other available measures.
Insufficient rainfall in the districts of Tarai region has delayed the paddy plantation, he added.
According to Yadav, farmers in Sonma Rural Municipality completed 40 percent of paddy plantation while the progress is just 10 per cent in Manrashiswa Municipality and stated that the paddy saplings could dry up if such situation continues for one more week.
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Monsoon landslides: six major routes totally obstructed, five operational one way
Kathmandu, July 21: Six major traffic routes in various parts of the country are fully obstructed due to floods and landslides triggered by incessant rains.
As updated by the Nepal Police Headquarters, the Koshi Highway was blocked in Sankhuwasabha, while the Mechi Highway in Panchthar and Tamor-Corridor road section due to natural disasters.
The Kaligandaki Corridor in Nawalparasi East, the Shahid Highway in Rolpa and Jajarkot-Dolpa Bheri Corridor in Rukum West are other roads obstructed by the landslides.
Similarly, the Tokha- Nuwakot route, the Kaligandaki Corridor in Baglung, the Mid Hill Highway in Galkot of Baglung, Kaligandaki Corridor in Nawalparasi East, Kaligandaki Corridor in Nawalparasi East, the Shahid Highway at Pariwartan rural municipality in Rolpa are partially blocked, allowing the one-way traffic.
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Policy reform imperative for prosperity: Chair Dahal
Kathmandu, July 21: Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, has viewed policy reform along with change in State perspective is essential to achieve prosperity in the country.
Also the former Prime Minister, Dahal said it during a meeting he had with the newly elected office bearers of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries at his residence, Khumaltar today.
“Once the State’s mindset and policy are changed, private sector gets favourable atmosphere to thrive and contribute to national economy,” he argued, adding that State should foster facilitating role.
On the occasion, the office bearers reminded that private sector has tremendous role in national economy.
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UML Central Committee meeting begins in Chyasal
Kathmandu, July 21: A meeting of the CPN (UML) Central Committee commenced a short while ago at the party headquarters in Chyasal, Lalitpur. The meeting is being chaired by party Chair and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, according to UML Publicity Department Chief Rajendra Gautam.
The Central Committee is expected to deliberate on a proposal to amend the party’s statute as well as the party’s organizational report.
It is noted that the UML Politburo meeting held from July 18 to 20 endorsed the proposal to amend the party statute. The proposal is scheduled to be presented at the upcoming Statute Convention.
Party Vice- Chair Bishnu Prasad Paudel, who has been tasked with drafting the statute amendment proposal, is set to introduce the proposal during the meeting. Central Committee members (excluding those in the Secretariat, Standing Committee, and Politburo) will be given up to three minutes each to express their views on the proposal. Around 230 central members are expected to participate in the discussion.
It has been proposed to withdraw the existing provisions that set a 70-year age limit for party office bearers and prohibit individuals from holding the same party position for two terms.
The UML Statute Convention is scheduled to be held on September 5-7 at the Sunrise International Convention Centre in Godavari of Lalitpur.
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Karnali Province still reports 50 tuins, Humla alone has 15
Surkhet, July 21: Irrespective of the adoption of policy to remove tuin, a ropeway used for crossing river, Karnali Province has reported as many as 50 tuins still in operation in its 7 districts.
Senior Divisional Engineer at the Physical Infrastructure and Urban Development Ministry of Karnali Province, Ramesh Subedi, said there are 50 such manually operated traditional ropeways in the province.
The information about tuin was collected as per the plan to construct suspension bridges to replace the traditional ropeways. The Ministry received the details of tuins from seven out of 10 districts in the province.
As per the data, Humla has the highest number of tuins, 15. There are six tuins over Karnali River in Humla. Similarly, there are 12 tuins in Kalikot, 12 in Jajarkot, two in Dailekh and Mugu each, three in Dolpa and eight in Surkhet.
However, the data of tuins from Salyan, Jumla and Rukum West has not been received. The Karnali Province government has adopted a policy to make Karnali tuin-free in the current fiscal year and allocated Rs 15 million budget for the same, said Spokesperson of the Ministry, Subedi.
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Incidents of fire continue even during monsoon
Kathmandu, July 21: Despite ongoing monsoon rains, incidents of fire continue to be reported across the country.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), fire outbreaks have not decreased during the monsoon season. Between 10:00 am on July 19 and 10:00 am on July 20, six fire incidents were reported, resulting in six fatalities and one injury. Forty families were affected.
From mid-April to July 20, a total of 969 fire incidents were recorded nationwide. Additionally, 158 forest fires occurred during this period, leading to two deaths and affecting 27 families.
The same period also witnessed 273 incidents of windstorms, which caused eight deaths and 39 injuries, affecting 531 families. The cases of snakebites numbered 63, resulting in five deaths and impacting 70 families.
Floods have also been a major concern, with 137 cases reported across the country, causing 13 deaths and affecting 1,246 families. In these incidents, 20 persons went missing.
There were 183 landslides, leading to seven deaths and nine injuries, and displacing 199 households. Furthermore, 28 persons lost lives and 160 got injuries in 224 lightning strikes.
The number of deaths due to high-altitude sickness reached 11, and 12 fatalities were reported as a result of animal attacks from mid-April to July 20.
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Over 37,500 foreign tourists visit Manang in a year
Manang, July 21: Arrival of foreign tourists has been increasing every year in Manang district. According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Area Office, as many as 37,733 foreign tourists visited Manang district in the fiscal year 2024/25.
As per the data of Dharapani Tourist Check Point under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Office, Manang, total 2,554 tourists from SAARC countries and 35,178 tourists from other countries visited Manang in the last fiscal year.
Office Chief Dhak Bahadur Bhujel shared that tourists from 134 countries had the footfall in Manang district and the highest number of tourists were from Israel, which stands at 4,358, followed by 3,616 from France and 2,842 from Germany.
Similarly, the number of those visiting Manang from abroad was 22,371 from 124 countries in fiscal year 2023/24. French stood first in number.
Locals here are dependent on agriculture and tourism business and the increasing arrival of foreign tourists has helped in economic growth of the district, thereby improving nation’s economy. Tourists have been found attracted to visit Manang as Annapurna trekking route, which is ranked as the 10th most dangerous trekking route in the world, lies in Manang.
Manang has been choice of the tourists as it has immense natural heritages and beauty.
Conservation Education Assistant at ACAP, Bhupendra Gurung, mentioned that the number of domestic tourists visiting Manang is remarkable in recent period.
However, the erratic weather events coupled with climate change impact in the upper hilly and mountainous district, Manang, in recent years, is unleashing fear among local entrepreneurs whether they could retain the rise of foreign footfall in the district.
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Arun-III worker dies of electric shock
Kimathanka (Sankhuwasabha), July 21: A worker at the under-construction 900-megawatt Arun-III Hydropower Project died of electric shock this morning.
The District Police Office, Sankhuwasabha, confirmed the death of Karan Dhar Paudel, 40, from Ghodaghodi municipality-2 in Kailali. The incident occurred inside a tunnel under the project at Chichila rural municipality-3.
Severely injured, Paudel died during treatment at the District Hospital, Sankhuwasabha, said Police Inspector Ram Kumar Lamichhane.
Over 300 workers, also including from India, have been hired under the project. Meanwhile, a child has gone missing in the Saptakoshi River at Rajabas of Barahachhetra municipality in Sunsari.
The missing child has been identified as Deepesh Mehata, 11, of Bhokraha Narsingh rural municipality-1, according to Sunsari’s Deputy Superintendent of Police, Yoga Raj Khatiwada.
The child went missing while bathing in the river. He was accompanied by two others who returned safely. Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force are jointly conducting a search operation for him.
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NWA gears up for holding fourth General Convention in mid-December
Kathmandu, July 21: The Nepal Women Association (NWA), the women’s wing of the Nepali Congress (NC), is prepared to hold its fourth General Convention coming December.
The three-day event will kick off on December 15, according to the Association.
Chairperson Usha Raut told RSS that calendars for the pre-convention events have been finalized, and the schedule for organizing the provincial conventions is set for December 7.
Earlier, a steering committee headed by NC Spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat was formed to facilitate the Association in holding the General Convention. The same committee, in coordination with the Association, unveiled the General Convention schedule.
Raut, who was nominated to the post on December 12, 2022, said the fourth General Convention could not be organized on time due to various issues. The third Convention, held nine years back in Kathmandu, had elected Uma Regmi as the President. Raut was nominated to the post after it turned vacant with Regmi’s appointment as a federal minister.
The Association, which was formed on August 8, 1947 as part of the movement against the Rana regime, was founded by towering women figures including Mangala Devi Singh.
The first Convention was held in Biratnagar in 2001, followed by the second in Kathmandu in 2007.
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UML CC meeting: Chair Oli urges to strengthen internal unity
Kathmandu, July 21: CPN (UML) Chairperson and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged central committee members to strengthen party’s internal unity.
Chairing the ninth central committee meeting of the party begun today, Chair Oli stressed that the entire party line should be united as there was no ideological and policy-level dispute in the party. The party membership has increased by 139,000 (28 per cent) in recent period, thereby making the party organisation stronger, he informed.
Chair Oli called on party’s central members to transform the party as a decisive force of the country, shared UML Central Publicity Department Chief, Rajendra Gautam.
“There is no confrontation among us but we should be aware towards possible efforts of some elements intending to create dispute and division,” Chair Oli reminded. The central committee members were asked to put forth their views in the meeting.
According to him, the opponents could not compete with UML ideology and performance.
Leader Gautam shared that discussion would be held also about the meeting between Chair Oli and former President Bidya Devi Bhandari held on Sunday regarding Bhandari’s announcement to return to party politics in the meeting.
Vice-Chairperson Bishnu Prasad Paudel would present statute amendment proposal while General-Secretary an organizational report in the two-day meeting.
Similarly, the meeting would discuss the managerial preparation of the upcoming Statute Convention.
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Review implementation before voicing for constitution amendment
Kathmandu, July 21: After I became a Member of the House of Representatives (HoR), I got an opportunity to learn many things about parliamentary practices and lawmaking. It is different from what we watch from outside and the experience at parliament.
With my 14 months in the capacity of HoR Member, my perspective towards parliamentary practices is changed. Earlier, I had superficial views on parliament role and functions.
The federal parliament is at work for lawmaking, which is positive in deed. Many policies are made. The lawmaking process is rigorous with several rounds of discussion at parliament committee meetings. Once all lawmakers actively engage in the pressing issues, good law is possible.
I have been reiterating that parliament is a clean place, temple of good governance. People’s representatives should continuously raise public concern and voices. I also raised the problems facing the chhurpi entrepreneurs from my district, Ilam, which forced government to pay heed to tax issues and entrepreneurs face the problems no more.
Although voices have been raised from different sides with the need for constitution, I believe it is essential to know how the present constitution came into being. It is brought after long struggle and huge sacrifice. There are many provisions in constitution that need review. It is equally relevant and significant whether we made sincere and sufficient efforts to implement constitution. Did we work well to enforce human rights provisions as guaranteed by constitution? It is better we mulled provisions in the constitution rather than running after outside issues.
Only law making is not enough, its effective enforcement is imperative. Rather than voicing for constitution amendment, serious review of status of constitution implementation is essential.
However, there are some problems in system, which deserves proper address.
Blaming electoral system is not an escape. We not only regarded those with campaigning and better awareness while ignored honesty in politics. Election should not focus only the educated people but honest and committed as well. Those having good knowledge of geography, national status and people’s aspiration can be prioritized.
Study out-migration from multiple lens
In my opinion, youths’ out-migration is not only linked to youths but also to every aware citizen. Not only youths but those even above 50-year are leaving country for better facility and jobs abroad. Youth exodus has links to other issues in addition to employment. State needs to ensure adequate services. Where are the problems – in service, process, employment or youth entrepreneurship? Let’s identify the concerns and act accordingly. Together with this comes status of citizen’s health and education. So, out-migration of youth can be studied from several perspectives.
The government is doing from its side, but efforts are inadequate. Agriculture and tourism bear significant potential in Nepal, which require investment strategically. If agriculture and tourism are prioritized and activities forwarded accordingly, the journey to prosperity could be much easier. I involved in inspection of the construction of many roads and government buildings. But the road construction and maintenance were found subpar in quality. It was also found that even the projects making 80 percent progress with guarantee of investment were totally reversed owing to snail-paced infrastructures like roads.
Maintain restraint in parliament
In the parliament, all parties should be unified to resolve the problems facing people and country. Dialogue is the vital tool to sort out difference. What is going on in the parliament at present is wrong, the activities of some parties are inappropriate. Presenting in the parliament in a restrained manner adds value. Not only the Nepali Congress, the CPN UML and the CPN (Maoist Centre) but all other parties should bear equal responsibility towards nation.
Rather than trading individual blames in parliament, voicing with evidence counts much. Entire party can work to correct its members. Improvement has no alternative.
(Views based on an interview given to Chief Reporter of RSS, Narayan Neupane, and reporter Sushil Darnal. Nembang is the son of late lawmaker Subash Nembang. He was elected from Ilam constituency no 2 for House of Representatives from CPN UML in March last year following his father’s demise. Suhang is one of the youngest HoR Members).
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Farmers are foundation of prosperity: Chair Dahal
Kathmandu, July 21: National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal has stressed that the state should introduce a concrete policy and programme to involve young generation in agriculture.
Addressing an Agriculture Olympic programme organised here today, Chair Dahal pointed out the need of introducing various packages from the government side so that youths would be interested in agriculture. Active participation of educated and aware youths in agriculture makes the self-dependent and develop this sector, he argued, adding agriculture is the base of country’s prosperity and farmers are foundation of prosperity.
He admitted that the state has failed to pay enough attention to resolve problems facing the real farmers. Pointing out the need of revolution along with social justice in agriculture sector, the NA Chair stressed effective implementation of the constitutional rights of farmers.
Dahal also saw the need of transformation of agriculture. More than 100 youth farmers from across the country have participated in the programme, said Programme Coordinator Nahendra Khadka.
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AI Code of Conduct issued for Online TV journalists
Kathmandu, July 21: The Online TV Journalists Association has issued the ‘Online TV AI Code of Conduct- 2082 BS’ targeting online television journalists.
The 12-point Code of Conduct was announced amidst a programme in Kathmandu today.
According to President of the Association, Jeevan Bhandari, the Code of Conduct aims to discourage the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and to promote its genuine use. The use of AI is highly likely for online TV contents in future, he added.
Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) Federation’s senior Vice President Chiranjibi Adhikari who was present on the occasion claimed that this is the first AI Code of Conduct in Nepal.
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Chinese delegation calls on Minister Paudel, various MoUs signed
Kathmandu, July 21: A Chinese delegation led by Chen Xiaodong, the Chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), today called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Bishnu Prasad Paudel. During the meeting held at the Finance Ministry, matters relating to Nepal-China bilateral relations, development partnership and existing and future projects funded by China were discussed, according to the Minister Paudel’s Secretariat.
During the meeting, the two sides signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) for various four projects which include the construction of a facility for bone marrow transplantation in Bharapur-based BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital and a feasibility study for the expansion of the Civil Hospital.
Finance Secretary Ghanashyam Upadhyaya and the CIDCA Chair signed the MoU regarding these initiatives on behalf of their respective sides.
Likewise, the MoU in regard with the human resources development was signed on the occasion. This will provide over 1,200 government employees with an opportunity to participate in bilateral and multi-lateral seminars to be organised by various China-based organisations.
Similarly, Nepal Electricity Authority Managing Director Hitendra Dev Shakya and the CIDCA Chair singed on the minute regarding a feasibility study for the construction of Rasuwagadhi-Kerung Transnational Electricity Transmission line.
China is to assist Nepal for the rebuilding of structure damaged by the recent flooding in Rasuwa district and in resumption of customs procedures.
Stating that post-disaster recovery is Nepal’s top priority, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed gratitude to China for its concerns for rebuilding disaster- damaged physical infrastructure. “The Rusuwa customs point along the Nepal-China border is significant not only for import-export but also for the revenue collection,” he said, promising its reconstruction soon.
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