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One month after the devastating August flood, the flood-affected areas of Devighat and Dhunge in Nuwakot still bear the scars of destruction. Houses have been swept away, debris remains scattered across settlements, and many families are still waiting for a decision on where and how they will rebuild their lives.

At Devighat, 68-year-old Lom Kumari Lamichhane visits the site of her former home almost every day. She can no longer identify the exact location of her plot. Her house was swept away by the flood and carried some distance from its original location.

On the day of the flood, Lamichhane was preparing her grandson for school when police began announcing warnings about the rising water. However, she received the warning too late. She said she survived by only a few minutes after running to higher ground. 

“I survived by five minutes,” she said. She had about Rs 50,000 in cash and six tolas of gold in the house, but she could not take any of it with her while fleeing the flood.

Soon after the disaster, Lamichhane fell ill and travelled to Kathmandu for treatment. She has since returned and is now living with her family in a rented room near Devighat. During the day, she visits the flood-damaged area, meets relatives and observes what remains of her former home before returning to her rented accommodation.

“We invested all the income we made during our lifetime in buying land and constructing a house. Now we have nothing left,” she said. Lamichhane had migrated to Devighat about 40 years ago. Despite losing her home and belongings, she said she was satisfied with the government's immediate response. “I am satisfied with the government because they provided food, shelter and other things we needed,” she said. She also acknowledged the role played by the local government during the crisis.

ApEx also spoke to several other flood-affected residents who were at their damaged properties. Some were clearing mud and debris from what remained of their houses, while others were searching through the wreckage for belongings that might have survived.

Several residents said there had been coordination among the federal, provincial and local governments during the relief and recovery efforts. Some had already received Rs. 15,000 in rental assistance, while others said they were still waiting to receive it.

At Dunge Bazar, Bhimsen Thapa was looking for assistance to clear the debris from his property. He also said the three levels of government had worked together during the crisis. Thapa’s video footage taken at the time of flood taking the risks has gone viral in the social media.

“I realized the importance of federalism during the flood,” Thapa said. Although there have been reports of poor coordination among government agencies, the accounts of residents interviewed in the affected areas suggested that many people experienced coordination between the federal, provincial and local governments during the immediate response.

A month after the flood, however, the biggest uncertainty for affected families remains their permanent settlement. Residents of Devighat and Dhunge are waiting for government decisions on whether they will be allowed to rebuild at their existing locations or will have to relocate to safer areas.

In Dhunge Bazar, signs of recovery are beginning to emerge. People have started reopening shops, restaurants and other businesses, particularly in areas that were less severely affected and are considered relatively safe.

Experts have suggested relocating settlements from vulnerable areas to safer locations. However, economic activity and connectivity may influence people’s decisions to return. If the road to the China border is reopened, residents may continue returning to the area, at least for business purposes.

The nature of the landscape has also begun to change as the emergency phase comes to an end. Rescue and immediate relief operations have largely subsided, while security agencies and other authorities are now involved in clearing debris, constructing bridges and restoring basic infrastructure.

But for families like Lamichhane’s, recovery is far from complete. The debris may eventually be cleared and businesses may reopen, but the question of where displaced families will permanently live remains unanswered. 

One month after the flood, Devighat and Dhunge show two contrasting realities: the visible signs of recovery and the continuing uncertainty of families who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

The ‘Karkha-Charkha’ YouTube channel has officially released ‘Jabunik Rukhwa’, a traditional Tharu ‘Jhumra’ folk music video shot on location across Deukhuri.

Belonging to the ‘Ratanchawa’ sub-genre of Jhumra, traditionally performed and danced to at night, the song moves beyond standard folk entertainment to portray a poignant narrative of working-class life, labor, and domestic intimacy. The storyline follows a husband and wife who reunite after a day of separation and physical exhaustion, sharing a quiet, bittersweet evening centered around the simple aspiration of building a wooden bed out of jamun wood.

The production features lead vocals by prominent Tharu artist Somati Chaudhary and veteran singer Lalta Chaudhary, who marks a return to the singing scene after roughly 30 years. They are supported by chorus vocalists Arzoo Chaudhary, RK Tharu, Anju Chaudhary, and Urmila Gamwa Tharu.

The musical arrangement was directed by Ujjwal Sagar, with audio engineering by Manzil Bikram KC and instrumental contributions from Kiran Baral (flute), Naren Moktan (guitar/ukulele), and Nandu Chaudhary (percussion). Visual production was managed by field producer and creative director Lavkant Chaudhary, alongside management support from Chabilal Kopila, cinematography by Dirgha Chaudhary and Newraj Chaudhary, color grading by Sushil Khanal, and choreography by Sunil Chaudhary featuring the Sanghari Sanskritik Pariwar and Morgalik Naach Toli dance groups.

Kathmandu Climate Week 2026 begins tomorrow under the theme ‘Climate Justice for Building Climate Resilience: From Local Initiatives to Global Climate Diplomacy’.

Inaugurated by Minister for Foreign Affairs Shishir Khanal, the three-day event runs from October 2 to 4 at the Amrapali Banquet in Naxal, Kathmandu. It brings together policymakers, parliamentarians, climate experts, marginalized communities, youth, and international partners to bridge grassroots experiences with national policies and global climate diplomacy ahead of COP31.

Key highlights include high-level political dialogues, 17 parallel thematic sessions on climate justice, loss and damage, and green technology, youth-led discussions on recent climate disasters like the Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi floods, and practical training on climate-resilient agriculture. A public film screening will conclude the event on October 5.

Kabir Maharjan spent 10 days trapped in a pitch-dark tunnel after the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli flood swept through the Upper Trishuli-3A Hydropower Project. With no food, no light and no sense of time, he survived on water seeping through the tunnel walls. After 20 days in hospital, he returned home to his family. He recounts his extraordinary ordeal in conversation with Sanjeep Ghimire of ApEx.

What do you remember about the day the flood hit?

I had arrived at the Upper Trishuli-3A Hydropower Project just a day earlier on a one-month deputation. I had previously worked there for six years, so the project was familiar to me. Maintenance work on Unit 1 was underway. I was assigned to work on Cooling Fan-1, including a major inspection and cleaning of the bearings. When we heard that a flood was coming from the Rasuwagadhi area, nobody imagined it would be that severe. Around 30 to 35 of us were working at the site. By the time the flood hit, everyone started running toward the outlet to escape.

I ran to the control room to get my mobile phone. When I looked at the CCTV footage, I saw that floodwater had already entered the outlet. Escaping through the normal route was impossible. I grabbed my colleague Sanjay Sah by the hand and pulled him with me. We left the access tunnel and moved toward the cable tunnel, which was at a slightly higher level. But the flood reached there too. The lights went out. Everything became dark.

What happened after the lights went out?

The water covered our path. The current swept us away and separated me from Sanjay. I fell down a staircase. I don’t know whether I fell four steps, eight, ten or eleven. I only remember the pain getting worse. After that, I don’t remember anything.

When did you regain consciousness?

When I woke up, the floodwater was gone. I was only in my underwear. My shoes were filled with sand and mud and had become very heavy, so I took them off. My feet were hurting, but at that point I didn’t care about the injuries. I only wanted to get out. I searched for the tunnel entrance in the darkness, but the outlet had already been buried. So I returned to the place where I had been before. 

What was your biggest concern at that point?

I thought the people who had run toward the outlet had survived, and they would come back for me. I kept waiting, but nobody came. When I was thirsty, I drank the water seeping through the tunnel walls. That water became my only source of survival.

Did you have anything to eat?

No. I survived for 10 days drinking that water. But strangely, I didn’t always feel hungry. My mind started creating its own world. I would feel as though I had reached home and was eating a Newar feast with my family. Sometimes I would suddenly realize that there was mud, wood or splinters in my mouth. I would spit them out and rinse my mouth.

Did you know how many days had passed?

No. I had no watch and there was no light. There was no day or night, no sense of dates or weekdays. I would sleep and then suddenly wake up. Sometimes I would shout for help, but nobody answered. Gradually, I started living in my dreams. I would dream that I was back home with my family. I would travel, spend time with them and enjoy myself. Then I would suddenly wake up and realize that I wasn’t home. I was still lying on the cold floor, surrounded by mud and darkness. As the days passed, I even began forgetting that I was trapped inside a tunnel.

What went through your mind while you were trapped?

I had heard that people could survive for 50 or 55 days without food. So I thought about how many days had passed. But eventually, I stopped thinking about it. I told myself, “If I survive, I survive. If I die, I die.” Still, I didn’t want to give up. I focused on protecting myself. I kept thinking about my wife, my sons and my parents. I felt that I had to survive for them. I also prayed to God many times.

Were you able to move around inside the tunnel?

Sometimes I tried to stand up, but my legs wouldn’t support me. I would drag one leg and try to move a little farther, but eventually my body would run out of energy. My whole body felt as though I had been badly beaten.

Do you remember the moment you were rescued?

I didn’t know how many days had passed. One day, while I was sleeping, I thought I heard someone speaking. Then I saw some light. But I didn’t think it was a rescue team. By then, I had experienced so many strange things that I thought this could also be another hallucination. Sometimes I felt as though I was looking at Kathmandu from Swayambhu, with all the city lights below me. So when I saw the light and heard the voices, I wondered if it was another illusion. Then I heard someone say, “We got a sound. We heard a sound.” Someone said, “There is someone shouting in there.” I gathered all the strength I had and shouted: “I am here. My name is Kabir Maharjan. Please get me out of here.” They told me, “Stay there. Don’t go anywhere. We are coming.” I don’t know how long it took them to reach me.

What happened when the rescue team finally reached you?

They carried me, put me on a stretcher and dragged me out. It was around a 100-meter journey. They gave me some juice which gave me some strength. My hands and legs were barely moving. My body was badly injured. But I knew one thing: the darkness was finally ending. They secured me to a stretcher and introduced themselves as a Nepali Army rescue team.

One of the commanders was a Newar from Bhaktapur. He told me, “Remember your family deity.” They gave me more juice. Then the commander told me, “Now don’t worry. You will survive. We will save you.” After 10 days in darkness, those words felt like the brightest thing in the world.

What did you feel when you finally came outside?

The first thing I saw was sunlight. After 10 days in darkness, my eyes couldn’t tolerate it. I closed them because the sunlight was painful. But that sunlight proved something very important. I was alive. I folded my hands and thanked the Nepali Army rescuers. I also greeted senior colleagues from the Nepal Electricity Authority whom I recognized. Everyone outside was happy to see that I was alive. The Nepali Army took me by helicopter to its hospital. When I reached the hospital, I saw my wife crying. I told her not to cry. I spent 20 days in the hospital.

When did you learn that you had been trapped for 10 days?

There is one conversation with the rescue commander that I still remember clearly. He asked me, “How many days has it been?” I said, “Two days.” He asked, “Do you know where you are?” I said, “No.” Then he told me, “You are at 3A.” That made something click in my mind. I thought, “I got trapped at 3A the day before yesterday.” Only after I came out did I learn the truth. I had actually been trapped there for 10 days.

How do you feel about the people who rescued you?

I am deeply grateful to the rescuers. They saved my life. I cannot thank them enough. But at the same time, I feel very sad after learning what happened to my colleagues, seniors and others who lost their lives or suffered losses in the disaster. My friends were working with me inside that tunnel.

Even now, when I think about them, I become emotional. I survived, and I am grateful for that. But I cannot forget the people who were there with me.

Nepal’s total public debt stood at 45.05 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as of mid-September, according to the latest report from the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO). 

The total outstanding liability saw a slight dip in the first two months of fiscal year 2026/27, falling to Rs 2,973.05bn from Rs 2,981.7bn at the start of the fiscal year in mid-July. External debt accounted for the larger portion of this debt stock at 54.19 percent, with domestic obligations making up the remaining 45.81 percent. 

The total debt contracted despite a foreign exchange loss of Rs 436.3m recorded during the two-month period.

The government has been setting aside substantial resources to service this accumulated debt. The PDMO report shows debt servicing costs over the first two months of the fiscal year reached Rs 85.01bn which is equivalent to 1.29 percent of GDP. Of the total amount spent so far, domestic debt servicing claimed Rs 76.79bn, which included Rs 63.54bn in principal repayments and Rs 13.25bn in interest. By contrast, foreign debt servicing totaled Rs 8.21bn, consisting of Rs 6.59bn in principal repayments and Rs 1.61bn in interest. Combined interest payments alone amounted to Rs 14.87bn, or 0.23 percent of the country’s GDP.

The public debt-to-GDP ratio has been rising steadily over the past decade as the government turns to borrowing to bridge its budget gap. Such ratio, which stood at 26.84 percent in 2016/17, climbed to 30.26 percent across both 2017/18 and 2018/19, before rising to 38.05 percent in 2019/20, 40.73 percent in 2020/21, 41.05 percent in 2021/22, 42.77 percent in 2022/23, 42.68 percent in 2023/24, 43.79 percent in 2024/25 and reaching 45.18 percent in 2025/26.

This persistent growth in debt-to-GDP ratio is largely due to growing fiscal imbalances where public expenditure outpaces domestic revenue collection. The sharp jump starting in 2019/20 was triggered by Covid-19 pandemic relief spending combined with contraction in economic activity, which slowed GDP growth relative to new borrowing. Furthermore, the government relies heavily on debt financing to fund capital expenditure and infrastructure development. The compounding effect of debt servicing itself, where an increasing portion of new borrowing goes toward settling principal and higher-interest domestic obligations, further elevates the debt burden every year.

While Nepal’s debt-to-GDP ratio remains within the 50-55 percent sustainability threshold generally accepted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for developing nations, economists say the rapid pace of accumulation is alarming. The total debt stock has nearly doubled since 2015/16, when it stood at just 25 percent of GDP.

The liability is beginning to affect vital development spending. The government has allocated Rs 417.88bn allocated for debt servicing in the current fiscal year. In comparison, it has set aside Rs 431.1bn for capital expenditure in 2026/27. This shows more taxpayer money is being diverted from health, education and infrastructure to simply service government debts. Furthermore, external debt is increasingly vulnerable to currency risks as depreciation of the Nepali rupee adds billions to the debt liability even without fresh borrowing.

The government has set a target to raise Rs 658.28bn in public debt in the current fiscal year. By mid-September, it had raised Rs 61.05bn, achieving 9.28 percent of the annual target. Domestic borrowing accounted for Rs 50bn, reaching 12.20 percent of its annual domestic target, of the new borrowing, while external borrowing stood at Rs 11.05bn, or 4.45 percent of its annual foreign borrowing goal.

The Nepali short film ‘Chumpa: A Doll Under the Basket’ is set to have its world premiere at the 31st Busan International Film Festival in South Korea. The film has been officially selected for the ‘Wide Angle Section’ under Busan’s Asian Short Competition.

Written and directed by Rajesh Prasad Khatri, the film focuses on the persistent issue of child marriage in remote rural Nepal and its impact on the education and freedom of young girls. The story centers on 14-year-old Muna, an eighth-grade student with dreams of completing her education and living independently. Pressured by traditional family and community expectations to marry, she seeks refuge at her teacher’s house on her wedding day to save her education, only to be dragged back by villagers.

Shot in the Khas language in northwestern Nepal, the 20-minute film portrays child marriage, social pressures on women, and gender discrimination through a sensitive and symbolic lens. Utilizing natural lighting, real locations, and minimal equipment for a realistic feel, the film uses a traditional doll named ‘Chumpa’ as a symbol of lost voices and female resistance. The cast features Kabita Budha as Muna, alongside Binita Thapa Magar, Mira Khadka, and Dipesh Malla.

Director Khatri, a self-taught primary school teacher, previously won the Best Film award in the Generation Kplus section at the 2018 Berlinale International Film Festival for his short film ‘A Curious Girl’, while his second film, ‘A Scarecrow’, premiered at Busan. ‘Chumpa’ is a collaborative production between Picture Frame and Flicker Arts Entertainment, produced by Kedar Bhusal, with Dinesh Raut as creative producer and Ramlal Khadka as executive producer.

By highlighting child marriage, women’s rights, and rural realities, ‘Chumpa: A Doll Under the Basket’ aims to bring marginalized voices from rural Nepali society to a global audience on an international stage.

Real estate transactions rebounded strongly in fiscal year 2025/26, with the total number of transactions increasing 4.74 percent after declining 1.84 percent a year earlier.

A recent study report by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) shows that the value of property transactions surged much faster than the number of deals, reaching Rs 720.86bn in 2025/26. This represents an increase of 86.7 percent compared with Rs 386.15bn in the previous fiscal year.

The sharp increase in transaction value suggests a substantial rise in the average value of property deals during the review year.

The report shows property transactions picked momentum in the fourth quarter. The number of real estate transactions increased 12.25 percent year-on-year in the quarter. The growth, however, was slower than the 14.65 percent recorded in the same quarter of 2024/25. Deed registrations also rose 12.28 percent, compared with a 15.45 percent growth a year earlier.

The total area of land involved in transactions increased 15.41 percent in the fourth quarter, reversing a 2.98 percent decline recorded in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year.

The value of transactions in the fourth quarter alone more than doubled to Rs 275.73bn from Rs 127.61bn a year earlier.

The increase in property transactions also boosted government revenue. Revenue generated from real estate transactions increased 48.26 percent in the fourth quarter, compared with 23.45 percent growth a year earlier. Similarly, capital gains tax (CGT) collection rose 63.22 percent during the quarter, against 29.98 percent growth in the corresponding period of 2024/25.

Bank lending to the real estate sector, including residential loans, also expanded in the review period. The central bank report shows credit extended by banks to the sector grew 6.93 percent during the review period, compared with 5.86 percent growth in the fourth quarter of 2024/25.

Bagmati leads provincial growth

Bagmati Province, which houses the federal capital Kathmandu, recorded the strongest increase in real estate activity among the seven provinces during the fourth quarter of 2025/26. The number of transactions in the province increased 69.38 percent year-on-year. Madhesh was the only province to record a decline, with transactions falling 3.44 percent.

The area of land transacted in Bagmati increased 50.24 percent, the highest growth among the provinces, while Madhesh recorded a 6.19 percent decline.

Transaction values increased in all seven provinces. Bagmati recorded the largest increase of 175.33 percent, while Madhesh posted the lowest growth of 31.98 percent.

Across all provinces, plots between 2.5 and 10 aanas accounted for the largest share of transactions.

Local government also see sharp rise

Real estate activity increased sharply in all six metropolitan cities during the review quarter.

Kathmandu (155.74 percent) recorded the largest increase in the number of transactions, followed by Lalitpur (136.92 percent) and Pokhara (108.71 percent). Similarly, transactions in Bharatpur, Biratnagar and Birgunj increased by 63.04 percent, 47.59 percent and 29.19 percent, respectively.

The area of land transacted increased in all six metropolitan cities. Kathmandu recorded the highest growth at 208.22 percent, while Birgunj posted the lowest growth of 13.31 percent.

Transaction values also increased in all metropolitan cities, with Kathmandu recording a 217.40 percent.

Real estate activity also expanded across sub-metropolitan cities. The number of transactions increased in all sub-metropolitan cities except Kalaiya of Bara where activity remained broadly stable. Dhangadhi of Kailali recorded the highest increase in transaction numbers, at 73.16 percent.

The area of land transacted increased in all sub-metropolitan cities, with Hetauda, the provincial capital of Bagmati Province, recording the largest increase at 104.16 percent. Transaction values rose in all 11 sub-metropolitan cities, with Hetauda registering the highest growth at 186.80 percent.

If you’ve already dreamt of standing at Everest base camp, there’s an even bigger adventure waiting for you in the Khumbu region. It is dubbed the Everest three-pass trek, and it is fast becoming one of the most talked about routes among serious trekkers visiting Nepal. This is no simple trek to Everest base camp and back; this is a round of the whole of the Khumbu, covering not one but three high mountain passes, Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La, all over 5,300 meters.

That’s a long haul! 18 days. Thousands of meters of climbing. But for those who want to visit the genuine Everest region rather than the postcard one, it’s hard to beat. See complete details, dates and pricing for this route with All Himalayan Treks at www.allhimalayantreks.com or go straight to the trip site here: allhimalayantreks.com/trips/everest-three-passes-trek.

Why trekkers prefer this over regular EBC trek

The path that most people take to get to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. It is the same path that almost all trekkers follow via air route. Fly into Lukla, and hike through Namche and Tengboche to reach Everest base camp. From there, climb Kala Patthar for the famous picture at dawn, and then go back the same way you came. People love this walk, and there's a good reason for that.

But if you have the time, health, and guts for something more exciting, the three-pass trekking route adds a whole second act to everything great about Everest Base Camp. Like everyone else, you start at the bottom and make your way to Everest base camp and Kala Patthar. Then you cross Cho La Pass and enter the beautiful Gokyo Valley. You then go past the huge Ngozumpa Glacier, which is Nepal's longest glacier, and finally you cross Renjo La for one last, unforgettable view of Everest from the far side of the valley.

You get all that a conventional Everest base camp trip offers, plus the high passes, the Gokyo Lakes, and a far more intimate glimpse of the Khumbu region that most trekkers miss.

What the route looks like in reality

You’ll start in Kathmandu, then fly into Lukla or, in the busy spring and autumn months, drive to Manthali/Ramechhap first and take a short flight from there, as Kathmandu’s domestic airport gets clogged during peak season. It’s a peaceful few days walking from Lukla via Phakding and up to Namche Bazaar, the vibrant Sherpa town where everyone pauses to acclimatize.

The trail continues, climbing steeply via Tengboche, the region’s most important Buddhist monastery, and on to Dingboche, where a second acclimatisation day is factored in. Then things get serious. You move off to Chhukung and cross Kongma La, the highest of the three crossings, before descending into Everest base camp proper.

You arrive at Everest base camp, walk to Kala Patthar at sunrise, then follow the trail to Dzongla, crossing Cho La Pass into Gokyo. You spend two nights in Gokyo, giving you time to climb Gokyo Ri and enjoy one of the best mountain panoramas in the entire Himalaya: Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, all in one frame.

Finally you pass Renjo La and descend through Lungden and Thame (home hamlet of a number of notable Everest climbers) and return to Namche and Lukla to fly home. 

Almost all seasoned guides, including the team at All Himalayan Treks, suggest adding two additional buffer days to the conclusion of your Nepal tour plan. Lukla flights are weather dependent, and delays are more common than most travellers imagine.

Is the three passes trek for you?

Let’s be honest, this is no beginner's trek. The normal Everest Base Camp treks are already considered to be moderately tough; the three-pass trek is an extra step up. Most days you’re looking at five to eight hours of trekking, with two gruelling eight-to-nine-hour days on the actual pass crossings. You don’t require sophisticated climbing equipment, but a reasonable level of fitness and some experience of hiking can greatly enhance your enjoyment.

The key aspect to plan for is altitude. Thus the plan has two complete acclimatisation days, one in Namche Bazaar and one in Dingboche, and a gentle elevation profile to allow your body time to acclimatise. Most Nepal treks to the Everest region require trekking with a qualified guide and porter, which also adds a layer of safety in terms of altitude monitoring and emergency backup.

Best time to visit Mount Everest

The best time to go on this trek is in the spring (March to early June) and autumn (mid-September to November) when the sky is clearest and the views of the mountain are sharpest, like with other Everest Base Camp hikes. The most steady weather is in the fall, and the lower trail is full of blooming rhododendrons in the spring. Winter is manageable if you can handle the cold, and the July–August monsoon is better avoided altogether, rain and poor visibility aside.

What you will need to plan

This trek, like other Nepal itineraries in the Everest region, includes stays in hotels in Kathmandu and teahouse lodges along the way. Most regular meals are covered once you are walking. You’ll want permits for Sagarmatha National Park and the adjacent rural municipality, as well as a TIMS card. A competent local operator will organize these for you in advance. This is not optional; considering the high altitudes involved, you need high-altitude evacuation coverage in your travel insurance.

Ready to go beyond EBC?

If you have done your research on Everest base camp treks and are looking for something greater, the Everest Three Pass Trek route might be just what you are searching for. No doubt it’s rough. But it offers a side of the Everest region that most travelers never see.

For detailed itineraries, pricing, and more Nepal tours, visit All Himalayan Treks or directly visit the Everest Three Passes Trek.