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More than Rs 30 million have been deposited to the Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund on Friday itself. 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officers of various government and private financial institutions met Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at his office in Singha Durbar today and handed over the cheques as their institutional support to the fund.

Rs 15 million was provided by the Agriculture Development Bank, Rs 5.1 million from the Citizen Investment Fund, Rs 2.5 million from the SBI Bank, Rs 3.1 million from the Life Insurance Corporation, Rs 2.5 million from the Nepal Infrastructure Development Bank, Rs 1.5 million from the Oriental Insurance, and Rs. 5.1 million by the CIMEX INC (BYD).

On this occasion, Prime Minister Oli thanked the contributors and expressed hope that the support received in the fund would contribute to the distribution of relief to the flood survivors.

The Council of Ministers meeting last Monday had decided to initially deposit Rs one billion in the fund from the government side.

The fund is getting enriched from other organizations and individuals.

Recent natural disasters triggered by incessant rains have caused damages worth Rs 25 billion to road infrastructure. It is estimated that around Rs 3 billion will be required for the temporary restoration of damaged roads and bridges, while full reconstruction could cost between Rs 20-25 billion.

At a meeting of the Infrastructure Development Committee, House of Representatives today, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Devendra Dahal reported on the losses incurred due to flooding and landslides that occurred on September 27-28. He added that efforts are underway to restore disrupted roadways and highways temporarily.

The disasters affected 34 highways at 805 locations, with landslide debris cleared from 774 points so far. Traffic has resumed on 29 highways, and ongoing measures aim to reopen transport services at 31 locations across five major highways.

Minister Dahal stated that in some areas, merely removing landslide debris is insufficient to reopen the service; support walls, Hume pipes, and temporary Bailey bridges are also needed.

The Larcha-Kodari section of the Araniko Highway is particularly affected, with the Liping Bridge and the Larcha-based Bailey Bridge swept away by floodwaters.  It has been planned to fix the problems temporarily by using Hume pipes, and penstock pipes, and constructing a makeshift bridge at Liping.

As the government said, it plans to take all available alternatives to restore the traffic temporarily. 

 At the Dolalghat-Rakdhum section of the Pushpa Lal (Mid Hill) Highway, an 80-kilometer stretch has been affected by landslides at various locations. The roadway has been washed out and works are on to clear the landslides from both sides.  It has been planned to clear the way to facilitate vehicles to enter Kathmandu from Bardibas via the Dolalghat route.  

The 13-kilometer section at Ghapeli-Baguwa of Kanti Highway has been affected. Similarly, the left-right approach to the Bagmati Bridge has been disturbed. The Minister assures of the temporary repair of the bridge as much as possible to regularize the vehicular movement.

Along the Mechi highway, activities to remove landslide debris of Ramitedanda of eight kilometers of Ramite Phidim are underway. Vehicular movement would be operated by constructing a temporary diversion at Hewa khola.

Similarly, 17-meter long Bailey bridge would be constructed at Liping along Araniko highway as well as 45-meter long Bailey bridge at Larcha along Araniko highway, 50-meter long bailey bridge at Sunkoshi Khairenitar along BP highway are to be installed.

Likewise, necessary efforts have been started to install a 50-meter Bailey bridge in the Sunkoshi-Khurkot section. Flood has swept away 110-meter-long bridge at Sunkoshi Phoksingtar along Sagarmatha highway and the ministry has started necessary initiatives to construct the bridge. 

A 15-meter long Bagmati bridge along Kanti highway was washed away by flood and preparation was underway to bring the bridge into operation by constructing approach road. 

Similarly, a 35-meter-long bridge at Ratekhola of Ilam was swept away and necessary initiatives were underway for the construction of the bridge there. 

The Ministry has clarified that the federal government has made effective coordination with province and local levels for repair and maintenance of damaged roads.

In today's meeting of the Infrastructures Development Committee under the House of Representatives, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Devendra Dahal, shared that the Ministry and Transport Management Division have taken various initiatives to manage and resume transport service by holding discussion with different sides as landslide and flood have caused have damaged highways and bridges.

Minister Dahal further said a letter has been sent to the Home Ministry with a request to immediately rescue and provide relief materials to passengers and transport workers stranded due to the disaster.

The number of people leaving Kathmandu for their hometown to celebrate Dashain is increasing day by day.

Nowadays, New Bus Park, Gongabu, is getting crowded due to the sheer number of people going home for Dashain and buying bus tickets in advance.

With the start of the biggest festival of Nepalis, people, who are living in Kathmandu Valley due to various purposes, have started returning home to celebrate Dashain with family members and relatives.

Chief of Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, Deputy Inspector General of Police Bharat Bahadur Bohara said a total 126,435 people left Kathmandu Valley from September 30 to October 3 morning in vehicles—buses, trucks, and motorcycles.

Similarly, Spokesperson of District Police Range, Kathmandu, Nabaraj Adhikari told RSS that the crowd of people returning home has increased at New Bus Park after schools have started closing for the holidays with the beginning of Dashain festival.

He further said they have increased the number of security personnel at New Bus Park keeping the growing crowd of people there in mind, stating that a help desk has been established in order to make passengers travel more smoothly.

Likewise, crowds of people returning home and pressure of vehicles has increased at New Bus Park, Kalanki and Koteshwor areas, shared Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office.

Kathmandu is experiencing significant traffic congestion at its entry and exit points due to an influx of passengers and vehicles during the Dashain festival. Driver Ramit Oli, who operates on the Kathmandu-Dhangadhi route for Sudurpaschim Travel, said there is a significant rise in the number of people leaving the city for their hometowns as the festival began.

Road conditions have deteriorated due to rain-related disasters, yet vehicles remain packed as demand rises. By Thursday afternoon, a total of 820 motor vehicles, including buses, microbuses, trucks, private cars, and motorcycles, had departed from Kathmandu. According to Superintendent of Police Nawaraj Adhikari from the District Police Range Kathmandu, 13,503 passengers left the city with those vehicles.

As of noon today, 544 vehicles entered Kathmandu, carrying 6,554 passengers. The number of people traveling in reserved and private vehicles, which are not accounted for in police records, is also said to be increasingly high.

Bus counters have already accepted advance ticket bookings until October 9, making it extremely challenging for travelers to secure a ticket. Lalit Magar from Rolpa said he arrived at the New Buspark in Gongabu in the early morning but was struggling to find a bus ticket to go home.

Nepal ranks as the world’s highest remittance-receiving country, according to the World Bank, with remittance inflows playing a vital role in sustaining household expenses. The ‘Nepal Development Update: International Migration and its Impact on Nepal’, published Wednesday, highlights that remittances contribute over a quarter of Nepal’s GDP, the highest ratio globally. This figure is nearly three times that of Pakistan, South Asia’s second-largest remittance recipient, where remittances account for 7.8 percent of GDP.

The report notes that remittance growth has strengthened Nepal’s foreign exchange reserves, with official remittance inflows recently reaching a nine-year high. It further emphasizes that remittances have significantly reduced poverty, cutting it by over 30 percent between 2011 and 2023.

David Sislen, the World Bank’s National Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, praised Nepal’s reliance on foreign workers’ remittances. He stressed the importance of improving remittance management, fostering a robust domestic economy, and creating conditions that allow Nepalis to thrive both at home and abroad.

During a panel discussion titled ‘Making the Most of International Migration in Nepal’, Nepal Rastra Bank’s Deputy Governor, Dr Neelam Dhungana, discussed plans to increase remittance utilization, including encouraging formal remittance channels and offering a one percent additional interest rate for fixed deposit remittance accounts. Dr Dhungana also highlighted efforts to channel remittances into productive sectors.

Economic growth projected at 5.1 percent for 2024

Nepal’s economic growth is expected to rise, with the World Bank projecting a 5.1 percent growth rate for the fiscal year 2024, up from 3.9 percent in 2023. The increase is attributed to higher tourist arrivals, expanded hydropower production, and a boost in rice production. The report anticipates that Nepal’s economy will grow by 5.5 percent in 2025, largely driven by the private sector, thanks to a flexible monetary policy and relaxed regulatory provisions.

While the growth forecast does not factor in the impact of recent floods and landslides, the World Bank expects the construction, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail trade sectors to benefit from Nepal Rastra Bank’s policies. A projected 30 percent increase in tourism arrivals in 2024 is also set to stimulate growth in the service, transport, housing, and food sectors.

Hydropower production is forecasted to rise by 450 megawatts, while rice production is expected to grow by 4.3 percent, providing additional economic support. Sislen underscored the importance of maintaining this growth pace, calling for improvements in infrastructure, governance, human capital, and the private sector.

Inflation forecast

The World Bank forecasts inflation to hover around five percent in 2025 and 4.5 percent in 2026, following rates of 7.7 percent in 2023 and 5.4 percent in 2024. Private sector consumption is expected to rise by 1.8 percent in the 2024/25 fiscal year, with government sector consumption projected to increase by 5.8 percent. The current account surplus is expected to remain at 2.6 percent of GDP, and government revenue is predicted to grow by 20 percent.

Risks in the financial system

The report also highlights several risks to Nepal’s financial system, including high levels of non-performing loans that limit private sector credit growth, policy discontinuity that may hinder investment, and delays in capital expenditure implementation affecting infrastructure development. Additionally, regional instability and trade disruptions could negatively impact tourism and domestic demand.

The report also warns that economic shocks in Gulf countries and Malaysia, which host many Nepali migrant workers, could reduce remittance inflows, impacting household consumption, poverty alleviation, and human capital development. Migration from Nepal remains costly and unequal, with a challenging process for many.

Despite these risks, Vice-president of the National Planning Commission, Dr Shivraj Adhikari, remains optimistic. He emphasized Nepal’s gradual economic improvement, pointing to capital expenditure increases and budgetary process reforms as key steps towards macroeconomic stability. “The domestic product will increase, and more jobs will be created,” he stated.

National Assembly Chair Narayan Dahal called on President Ram Chandra Paudel at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Shital Niwas today.

On the occasion, the upper house chairman informed the Head of State about his participation in the 149th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Chair Dahal is leaving for Switzerland on October 11, leading a Nepali delegation to the IPU Assembly to be held there from October 13-17.

The General Debate of the IPU Assembly will focus on the overall theme "Harnessing science, technology and innovation (STI) for a more peaceful and sustainable future" and provide a platform for delegates to deliberate, exchange views and galvanize parliamentary action.

The Assembly will adopt resolutions on the emergency item and on the subject item taken up by the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights entitled "The impact of artificial intelligence on democracy, human rights and the rule of law". The Assembly is expected to conclude with the adoption of an outcome document on the overall theme of the General Debate, the IPU has stated on its website.

The festive season is here and, with that, it’s time to host people and have some nice get-togethers that will make you forget all your worries. But before you start welcoming guests, why not ensure your home reflects the festive spirit? Here are three nifty ways you can change the look of your space to lend it a celebratory vibe.

Use fun fabrics

You can’t go around changing all your upholstery but you can give them a quick facelift by covering them with fabrics that signify the festivities. Floral or ikat prints and patterns work wonderfully to give your living space a holiday cheer. Simply drape some fabric over the armrest of your couches or use them as throws. You can use old sarees to cover your cushions too or buy some inexpensive ones at one of the many stores that are offering holiday discounts at the moment. Check out Kaapa in Kupondole, Lalitpur or Cotton Co Nepal in Baneshwor Height in Kathmandu.

Decorate with flowers

One of the easiest and inexpensive ways of doing up your space involves decorating with flowers. You can use any glassware or ceramics you have around the house to create some stunning displays with flowers. Buy a few bunches of flowers and just put them up on the dining area or the coffee table. You can also choose to cut some long stems from trees and create a stunning display with leaves. Alternatively, you can add some battery-operated string lights to these to create a visually appealing setup. Though we don’t recommend fake flowers, we must admit there are some pretty real-looking ones available in the market these days. Try to play around with some but don’t go overboard with these as it can end up looking tacky.

Rotate your knickknacks

Our homes start looking boring because of the sameness of the décor day in and day out. Consider rotating your décor items to give your space a fresh appeal. Simply switching things up can change Take out your holiday decorations like the ‘panas’ (traditional oil lamps) and brass/bronze ‘khadkulo’ and use them as centerpieces on the dining table or on top of a console in the entryway. You can fill the khadkulo with water and place flowers or water petals and floating candles on it. Add a few drops of essential oil to the water to give your space a nice fragrance as well. The panas can be used in place of candlesticks or simply as décor items. If you are feeling especially quirky and creative, you can repurpose items around the house as festive décor. For instance, a brass puja ‘thali’ can be used as a coffee table tray. There is no rule here, just do what you feel works for you.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 400 per tola in the domestic market on Friday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 161, 300 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 160, 900 per tola on Thursday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,980 per tola today.

Jyotsna Yogi is a model and actor who has worked in several  music videos and films. Shreya Shrestha of ApEx interviewed Yogi about her career, life, challenges and achievements.

Can you share a bit about your family and educational background?

I have a diverse family background. My father is a skilled artist and handwriting teacher from Dang while my mother, who is from Sankhu, is also the backbone of our family. She is the sweetest and strongest woman I know. I also have a younger brother who lives in the US with his wife, who is a dedicated and intelligent nurse. My family has always been close-knit and supportive, encouraging me to pursue my dreams. As for myself, I was born and raised in Kathmandu. I finished my MBA in Human Resource Management and completed my undergrad in London. I also took a crash course in the Film and Television Institute of India Acting in FTII, Pune.

How did modeling and acting enter your life?

I had been studying all my life and wanted to do something completely opposite, something colorful and fun. As a child, I always wanted to be on television. That dream never left me, even though I majored in Business Management. It was during this transformative journey that I stumbled upon a modeling competition but never won any titles. In the end, the experience after that, I enjoyed every second of it that I never wanted to let go of this industry. Then I started my modeling career in 2013 with House of Fashion and by 2015, I debuted in the movie “Ma Ta Timrai Hoon,” which showcased my versatility and talent. I am engaged in acting and now I am pursuing Direction as well.

What is a challenging moment in your life and what lessons did you learn from it?

One of my most memorable struggles was when I moved to the UK for studies, because I am an introvert and socially awkward person. I had never left my family. So, when I had to relocate to the UK, my mind went blank. I used to panic a lot. In university, on buses, in front of literally everyone, I was a mother’s child. So that situation taught me a lot about being independent, making decisions, and breaking out of my childhood bubble. 

What is a proud moment in your life?

One of my proudest achievements that I admire is from the work on the music video “Upahaar” by Swoopna Suman, my husband. Even though this would’ve been my second directorial project, entrusting with the project, I took on responsibilities ranging from casting and styling to conceptualizing and directing. When viewers praised my work and Suman told me he made the right choice, it was a defining moment for me. The project not only validated my skills but also earned the respect and admiration of my family.

What inspired you to create the story of Book of Paws, and how did the idea come to life?

Beyond my work in the entertainment industry, I am passionate for animal welfare. I used to get a lot of messages on dogs and cats regarding adoptions, lost and found cases, emergencies and so on. They would request me to post it on my profile to spread the word, which I always did. Later, my page started to look a little less about me. Here, I thought about creating the Instagram page @bookofpaws, where I share posts about animals in need of homes and care. With nearly 2,000 followers, the page has successfully helped countless dogs and cats find their forever homes. It’s my way of trying to help them and it makes me happy more than other things.