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The latest havoc caused by the landslide and flood along the Nepal-China border in Rasuwa is a stark reminder yet again of just how vulnerable Nepal is to climate-induced disasters, particularly those that originate beyond our national boundaries. Nine deceased, 19 individuals still missing, infrastructure damaged, and critical trade routes disturbed, the nation is left scrambling to respond yet again—while the fundamentals continue to be poorly grasped and inadequately tackled.

What is particularly alarming about this incident is its suspected cause: a possible glacial lake outburst or other geophysical event in China's Tibetan area. While definitive evidence has not been established, the absence of significant precipitation in the area, experts say, strongly suggests transboundary factors like glacial lake bursts, avalanches or damming floods. This is a sobering reason for alarm about the present level of cross-border cooperation on early warning systems and disaster preparedness.

Nepal has treated transboundary climate hazards as environmental or diplomatic afterthoughts for too long. However, with their increasing frequency and intensity—fueled by climate change—it is time to treat them as national security risks worthy of diplomatic urgency and institutional overhaul.

Nepal and China share trade and infrastructure ties but with a remarkable lack of coordinated disaster risk management. The lack of an effective, real-time information-sharing system between the two countries significantly undermines Nepal's preparedness or response to such disasters. The Rasuwa flash flood would have been less deadly if Nepal had been alerted on time and offered data from the Chinese side.

The government is right to engage the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resume damaged infrastructure and reopen border points. However, what Nepal needs now is an official and binding mechanism with China for sharing climate and disaster data—particularly pertaining to glacial lake behavior, river flow and weather patterns in Tibet.

The Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Home, and Environment must work together to institutionalize cross-border climate risk cooperation with China and other neighbors, perhaps through multilateral forums.

Nepal must also invest in its own satellite monitoring capability, early warning dissemination and localized disaster preparedness, especially along border regions. The needs for trained human resources, reliable equipment and community-based alert systems have never been more pressing.

We are confronted with a new era of transboundary climate threats. Confronting them requires not just salvation in a crisis, but political will, regional collaboration, and investment in infrastructure and science over the long haul. The cost of inaction, as we have seen yet again, is measured in lives lost and futures destroyed.

Let us stop thinking of disasters as arbitrary calamities and start thinking of them as predictable consequences of a warming planet—and plan accordingly.

The Kaligandaki corridor has been obstructed following a landslide at Baralwa site in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality, Gulmi district.

Chairman of the rural municipality Bed Bahadur Thapa said that a massive landslide has occurred along with the rock at Khadgakot in Gulmi.

The District Police Office, Gulmi, said that a team of police from Bhurtung Police Post has been deployed at the site. Police said that clearing the debris is not that easy as the landslide is still running up.   

Likewise, the District Administration Office, Gulmi, has asked the people living downstream to apply precautions against the flooding and landslides.

The World Population Day, 2025 is being marked across the world today by organizing different programs and sensitizing the population related issues.

The theme of this year's World Population Day is "Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world” which reaffirms the promise of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, according to the United Nations.

In his message today, the UN Secretary General António Guterres has stated that many young people today face economic uncertainty, gender inequality, health challenges, the climate crisis and conflict and still, they are leading – with courage, conscience and clarity.  "They are calling for systems that uphold their rights and support their choices.  I urge countries to invest in policies that ensure education, healthcare, decent work, and the full protection of their reproductive rights."

The UN Secretary General stated that on this Population Day, the world celebrates the potential and promise of the largest youth generation ever, as they are not only shaping our future; they are demanding one that is just, inclusive, and sustainable.

"It took hundreds of thousands of years for the world population to grow to 1 billion – then in just another 200 years or so, it grew sevenfold. In 2011, the global population reached the 7 billion mark, it stands at almost 7.9 billion in 2021, and it's expected to grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.9 billion in 2100," according to the UN.

Young people are already driving change, but face major obstacles: economic insecurity, gender inequality, limited healthcare and education, climate disruption, and conflict. A UNFPA–YouGov survey of over 14,000 people in 14 countries found most wanted more children but were prevented by social, economic, or health barriers.

The UN has stated that leaders must prioritize young people’s needs and voices to respond to global population trends effectively. "They need more than services—they need hope, stability, and a future worth planning for."

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 25.89 points to close at 2,731.80 points on Thursday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 7.55 points to close at 472. 02 points.

A total of 26,470,840-unit shares of 312 companies were traded for Rs 9. 68 billion.

Meanwhile, Mai Khola Hydropower Limited (MKHL) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 8. 15 percent. Likewise, Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL) was the top loser as its price fell by 9.92 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 55 trillion.

The life of Captain Rameshwor Thapa will now be adapted into a movie.

It was announced amidst a program held at Trigajur Shivalaye, Gaurighat in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Dipendra K Khanal will direct the movie named ‘Captain Saab’ is the biography of Captain Rameshwor Thapa, a pilot and a media entrepreneur.

Filmed under the banner of Patkatha Production and Yarsa Studio in association with Rich Entertainment, the movie features actors Khagendra Lamichhane, Sanjog Rasaili and actress Surakshya Panta in the lead roles.

Khanal had earlier cast Lamichhane and Pant in the lead roles in 'Dhanpati'. Since then, this is the first time that they are working together in the same movie.

It has been said that Lamichhane will play the role of Captain Thapa.

The movie will be shot at different locations around Kathmandu, Chitwan and Kavre.

In a question, what thing attracted you to do this move?

Director Khanal said that he was browsing through bookstores. In the meantime, he noticed the cover of a book Into the fire.

The cover of the book was really appealing, the helicopter, the title, everything drew his attention, he said.

“I bought the book and started reading as soon as I reached home. The story caught my interest and decided to produce a film about it,” Khanal said. He then approached Captain Thapa about making the movie in his life.

The shooting of the movie in which Krishna Bahadur Thapa will be the cinematographer will start from the first week of Shrawan.

The movie will showcase Thapa’s journey on and off the field.

On the occasion, Lamichhane said that depicting a person’s life story through acting is really a difficult job especially when a person has a renowned and phenomenal personality.

Lamichhane, one of the finest actors of Nepal, said that he will try his best to do full justice to the role.

Similarly, actress Panta said that she will play the character of Captain Thapa’s wife.

Director Khanal himself, Karan Shrestha and Shrishtima Khanal are the producers while Srijana Napit is the executive producer.

Captain Thapa is a veteran rescue and relief helicopter pilot who began flying in 1994. He is the owner of Simrik Air and has served as the president of the Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) four times.

The Senate meeting of the Tribhuvan University has approved the 63rd grace list of 89,191 students for upcoming convocation.

The meeting held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister and TU Chancellor KP Sharma Oli at his official residence in Baluwatar today passed the grace list presented by Registrar Prof Dr Kedar Prasad Rijal.

Similarly, TU's budget and programs for the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26 was also presented in the meeting.

On the occasion, Chancellor Oli urged to establish TU as a competitive and capable university suitable for the 21st century.

Similarly, TU Pro-chancellor and Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Raghuji Pant, stressed that the education sector has a significant role to materialize the national aspiration of 'Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali' and the University should work accordingly.

Newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Deepak Aryal also attended the meeting.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) has reached a preliminary conclusion that Tuesday’s devastating flood from the Lhende Stream in Rasuwa was caused by a supraglacial lake outburst in China.

According to satellite data, the flood was likely triggered by the bursting of a supraglacial lake (a lake formed on top of a glacier), located about 36 kilometers north from the Nepal-China border at Rasuwagadhi (latitude 28.4043, longitude 85.6469), at an altitude of around 5,150 meters.

Before the incident, the lake covered approximately 0.74 square kilometers. After the flood, its area was found to have decreased to around 0.60 square kilometers. This change in size indicates a significant release of water, supporting the conclusion that a lake outburst caused the flood in the Lhende Stream.

Flood expert Binod Parajuli from the Department stated that further information is expected from China and upcoming satellite images will help clarify the details of the incident. The Department will continue its study of the event.

The International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has earlier also suggested that the flood was caused by the outburst of the glacier lake.

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) will advance its pump‐storage programme to bolster energy security, having applied for a licence to conduct a pre‐feasibility study for a 594 MW project.

Executive Director Hitendra Dev Shakya reported that the NEA has approached the Ministry of Energy for studies on two pump‐storage facilities. Reviewing his first 100 days in office, he said prioritising pump storage has been a key achievement.

The NEA has prepared pre‐feasibility proposals for the 100 MW Kulekhani–Sisneri and the 494 MW Hulingtar–Dumkim projects. To ensure reliable supply, it has also launched an initiative to assess and support a battery energy storage system (BESS) alongside the pump‐storage schemes. Meanwhile, licensing for the Uttar Ganga and Upper Arun hydropower projects has progressed.

Shakya noted that, facing a payment obligation of Rs 14bn, the Authority will secure short‐term loans. He attributed delays in the Hetauda–Dhalkebar transmission line to funding constraints. He added that foundational reforms and long‐term plans set in motion during his initial 100 days will now be fast‐tracked. Projects under way include the Nijgadh–Pokhariya line, the Balaju–Maharajgunj (via Singha Durbar) route, and the Dudhkoshi transmission corridor.

To resolve disputes over dedicated and trunk‐line tariffs, the NEA has received 46 review applications; a committee is working to finalise these soon.

For Kathmandu Valley’s power stability, the Distribution Control Center in Syuchatar will now monitor 17 feeders connected to various switching stations and substations around the clock.

Under a Public–Private Partnership model, the NEA has issued an Expression of Interest for a 400/200 kV transmission line to integrate private-sector generation into the national grid rapidly.

Through its Energy Mix Programme, the NEA sought proposals for 960 MW of solar capacity via competitive procurement. Of 63 shortlisted projects, it has signed Power Purchase Agreements totalling 170 MW with eight companies.

On Tuesday morning, flooding in Bhotekoshi, Rasuwa forced the shutdown of 240 MW of output—230 MW from NEA plants and 10 MW from the private Mailung Khola facility. The 111 MW Rasuwagadhi plant suffered the worst damage, followed by the 60 MW Trishuli 3A project. While most stations will resume generation once waters recede, Rasuwagadhi and Trishuli 3A will require extended repairs.