Submit your Article

Flights have been affected since this afternoon due to adverse weather conditions. 

General Manager at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Teknath Sitaula said that domestic air services have been affected due to persisting adverse weather in various parts of the country, including Kathmandu.

Flights to and from Simara, Pokhara, Biratnagar and Bhairahawa are being delayed because of unfavourable weather, he shared. 

According to the TIA office, some aircraft arriving at the international terminal have been placed on hold due to adverse weather conditions. 

The office has stated that all domestic flights will resume once the weather improves.

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane has said that the government will take responsibility for the proper management of homeless citizens.

In the informal meeting of the RSP Parliamentary Party held today at Singha Durbar, he stated that the government will ensure that no one becomes homeless during the management of settlements in disaster high-risk areas.

"Repeated notices have been issued to squatters in risky areas to relocate them to safe locations in a smooth manner. There is concern about the safe dwelling of citizens forced to live near drains and flood-prone areas, and it is the government's duty to be concerned about everyone's future," said RSP spokesperson Manish Jha, quoting President Lamichhane.

Lamichhane said that the problems related to squatter settlements across the country would be promptly addressed by forming a special commission.

"The government will not let any squatters be homeless; suggestions for necessary coordination are welcome, but unnecessary politicisation should be avoided. Forcing anyone to live at risk of floods and near sewers for 'vote bank' politics is wrong," he added.

'Ordinances are for necessary governance reforms, not to harass anyone'

President Lamichhane said that the government had recommended ordinances to meet public expectations and make necessary reforms.

"Until the past unnecessary partisanship and wrong appointments are corrected, the people’s expectations from this government cannot be fulfilled. Previously, the ordinances were used to split parties or suppress the opposition. The current practice is not to hurt anyone or provide favors to anyone; it is for necessary reforms," he said.

Stating that this step is a practice carried out within the legal framework, he said, "It also demonstrates how serious the RSP is towards law, political conduct, and the democratic system, even without the parliamentary committee chief of the opposition calling for the same.

The RSP President said that he is ready for any necessary facilitation in case anyone has difficulties while fulfilling duties as a people's representative. 

He also requested not to always wait for the meeting and to put forward one's views in writing in the RSP Parliamentary Party. .

The Chinese government is to provide Rs 11 billion in grants for the implementation of the Ring Road Expansion (Second Phase). 

According to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, Transport and Urban Development, Minister of Physical Infrastructure, Transport and Urban Development Sunil Lamsal and Ambassador of China to Nepal Zhang Maoming signed the agreement today. 

In line with the agreement, the Ring Road will now be extended from Kalanki to Basundhara. 

In the first phase, it has been extended from Koteshwor to Kalanki.

On that occasion, Minister Lamsal said that no problems would be allowed in project implementation and, if any arose, immediate facilitation would be provided to resolve them.

He mentioned that the construction of roads connecting the north and south is a government priority and expressed confidence that China will further increase its investment in the country's infrastructure development.

Ambassador Zhang stated that many Chinese investors are willing to come here if an environment conducive for investment is created.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 25. 81 points to close at 2, 744. 45 points on Wednesday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 3. 06 points to close at 464. 51 points.

A total of 12,134,360-unit shares of 351 companies were traded for Rs 1. 55 billion.

Meanwhile, Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 13. 81 percent.

Likewise,  10% KBL Debenture 2090 (KBLD90) was the top loser as their price fell by 11. 46 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 68 trillion.

Millennium Challenge Account Nepal (MCA-Nepal) today launched the upgrade of the 40km Dhan Khola–Lamahi section along the East-West Highway,  a key project aimed at enhancing transportation and improving road conditions across Nepal.

For the first in Nepal, the upgrade will apply Full Depth Reclamation and Superpave as modern construction methods that offer important gains in quality, durability, and sustainability. 

The project will also widen the road to 12 meters, with a 7-meter carriageway and 2.5-meter shoulders on both sides.

Addressing the event, Chet Narayan Acharya, the Chief Minister of Lumbini Province, welcomed the use of modern technologies like FDR and Superpave, which will ensure better quality and longer-lasting roads. 

“This is a major step forward for our province and the people who rely on this highway every day. The upgrading of this road section will not only make travel safer and more reliable, but also open up new opportunities for local businesspeople, farmers, and entrepreneurs,” he expressed, reads a statement issued by the MCA-Nepal. 

Similarly, Scott Urbon, the Charge d'Affaires at the US Embassy, stated, “Today’s launch of the Dhan Khola–Lamahi road upgrade marks an important milestone in the partnership between the United States and Nepal. Through the MCC Nepal Compact, we are investing in high-quality, durable infrastructure that will lower transportation costs, improve safety, and connect communities to markets and opportunities.” He further noted, “This project reflects our trust in Nepal’s future and our joint dedication to sustainable economic growth.”

Speaking at the event, Sushil Babu Dhakal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transportation and MCA-Nepal Board Member, expressed, “As a Board member, I am pleased to highlight that MCA-Nepal’s investments are designed to complement the Government of Nepal’s plans and programs. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to building resilient infrastructure and expanding economic opportunities for our communities. I appreciate the efforts of all involved and look forward to the timely completion of this important project."

Sanjay Poudyal, the MCC Deputy Resident Country Director, remarked that this milestone reflects MCC’s commitment to supporting Nepal in building resilient, cost-effective infrastructure using advanced technologies that ensure long-term performance, according to the statement. 

Khagda Bahadur Bisht, the MCA-Nepal Executive Director, said, “The commencement of works on the Dhan Khola–Lamahi section marks a significant step in implementing the Road Maintenance Project under the MCC Nepal Compact. MCA-Nepal remains committed to delivering this project efficiently, transparently, and to the highest quality standards.” He added, “I would also like to recognize the continued support from the Government of Nepal, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and our key stakeholders—the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, the Department of Roads, and the MCA-Nepal Board.”

Two persons died and 27 others were injured when a micro bus and an EV micro collided with each other at Bhulai Ganeshnagar in Rupandehi on Wednesday. 

The microbus (Lu 1 Kha 7285) heading towards Bardaghat from Butwal collided head-on with the EV micro (Bagmati Pradesh 00 Kha 8925) at around 9 am today.

Both the injured breathed their last during the course of treatment, police said.

Police said that they are looking into the case. 

Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party leader Bhishma Raj Angdembe has nominated Kamaladevi Pant as the leader of the party's parliamentary group in the National Assembly, the upper house of the Federal Parliament. 

He has nominated MP Pant to that position according to the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party statute (including amendments and modifications, 2083).

Similarly, the Nepali Congress has stated that leader Angdembe has nominated Abhisek Pratap Shah as the deputy leader of the Parliamentary Party, Basana Thapa as the Chief Whip, and Nishkal Rai as the whip in the House of Representatives on behalf of the party.

At least 34 people lost their lives and 139 were injured in the incidents of different types of natural disasters across the country in the last 15 days. 

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 616 different types of natural disaster incidents occurred in the country from April 14-29. 

Of them, 34 people died and 139 sustained injuries in such incidents.

A total of 829 families were affected during the period. Two hundred and fifty houses suffered partial damages and 65 houses were completely damaged due to the disaster, added the Authority.

Similarly, 78 cowsheds were also damaged while 213 cattle died due to disaster incidents. It is estimated that these incidents caused financial losses of around Rs 109.255 million.  

The highest number of fire incidents (267) took place during the period where eight people lost their lives and a huge amount of property was gutted. 

Around Rs 97.5 million was destroyed in fire incidents. 

Likewise, 74 incidents of lightning took place where nine people died and 49 sustained injuries. 

Three hundred and nineteen families were affected from 44 incidents of storm, destroying the property worth Rs 8.3 million, according to the Authority. 

Other incidents occurred during the period were snakebite, wildfire, heavy rain, flood, and animal attack. Authority Spokesperson Shanti Mahat mentioned that dry weather, mercury rise and human negligence have been increasing the incidents of fire and wildfire in recent periods. 

Preparedness, public awareness and effective management are needed for disaster risk reduction, opined Mahat.