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The federal government has received Rs 99.2bn in external loans during the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, which is less than half of its target of Rs 217bn. According to a report from the Public Debt Management Office, the foreign loans received as of mid-June amount to just 45.72 percent of the target. In contrast, internal debt mobilization is on track to meet its goal, with 95.45 percent (around Rs 315bn) of the Rs 330bn target already achieved.

Most of the foreign loans have been categorized under capital expenditure, serving as a source for funding development projects. However, the slowdown in development activities has hindered the inflow of these external loans, according to the office. “Donor agencies largely provide financial assistance to Nepal in the form of project-based loans rather than direct budgetary support. As a result, the delayed or poor implementation of projects significantly impacts the receipt of funds. Overall, weak development expenditure has led to a decline in external loan inflows.”

According to the Office of the Auditor General, as of Saturday evening, the annual capital expenditure has only reached about 42 percent of its target.

Meanwhile, the Public Debt Management Office stated that the total debt that the government has yet to repay is Rs 2,654bn. At the beginning of the current fiscal year, the total public debt was
Rs 2434.9bn, and by the end of last May, an additional Rs 220.58bn of government debt was added. As of the end of last May, the total public debt is 43.47 percent of the country’s total gross domestic product. Furthermore, the share of foreign debt in the remaining debt that the government has to repay is 52 percent, while the share of domestic debt is 47.94 percent.

According to the data as of mid-June the internal debt is Rs 1272.53bn and the external debt is
Rs 1382.12bn. The government had set a target to mobilize Rs. 5.47bn in public debt for the current fiscal year. As of the end of last mid-June, Rs 414bn has been collected in debt. As of June 14, the total public debt is 43.47 percent of the country’s total gross domestic product. The government has yet to receive a total loan of 52 percent in foreign debt, while the share of domestic debt stands at 47.94 percent.

The government had set a target to mobilize public debt of Rs 547bn through active means. As of mid-June, the government has raised a loan of Rs 14.19bn. The total public debt collection as a percentage of the annual target is 75.72 percent. For the payment of the principal and interest on government debt, Rs 329.6bn has been spent in the last 11 months, it is stated.

The Chitwan National Park (CNP) has installed 'spy cameras' for checking possible poaching of wildlife.

The surveillance cameras have been sporadically placed in the security sensitive areas of the national park.

Information Officer at CNP, Abinas Thapa Magar shared that the cameras have been put up in different areas as it is tough to keep security physically present in every area of the park.

Surveillance has been carried out through spy cameras considering potential poaching points, it is informed.

Elephants are increasingly being used for patrolling in and around the national park areas.

A total of 30 spy cameras have been secretly installed in sensitive areas of the park.

The cameras will take snapshots of people's mobility in the areas. The poaching prone zones also have witnessed intensified patrolling by the Nepal Army.

A contingent comprising 90 Army men from various battalions has been mobilized here to assist the regular team taking into consideration the security situation.

He said the contingent has been deployed in areas that are not accessible to park staff and regular security teams.

The contingent that will remain here for three months is extending support for wildlife conservation efforts as well, the Information Officer noted.

There is an increased risk of wildlife poaching when the local people living around the park are engaged in agricultural activities during the monsoon season.

As the campaign for poaching control is less effective during the monsoon, it increases challenges to the security and conservation efforts at CNP.

The monsoon winds have effects across the country.

Its effect will result in partially to generally cloudy weather across the country this afternoon.

According to the weather bulletin released today by the Meteorological Forecasting Division, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning in some places of the hilly regions and a few places of the remaining areas.

Heavy rainfall is likely to take place in one or two places of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki Provinces.

There is a possibility of light rain and snowfall in some places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of the country, the bulletin stated.

There will be partially to generally cloudy weather across the country tonight. There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning in some places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpashchim Provinces and a few places of other provinces.

In one or two places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpashchim Provinces, there is also a possibility of heavy rain and extremely heavy rain in some places.

There is a possibility of light rain and snowfall in some places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of the country, the weather forecast bulletin mentioned.

 A day after recommending President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for his "decisive diplomatic intervention" during last month's India-Pakistan conflict, Pakistan on Sunday "condemned" the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, NDTV reported.

"We are gravely concerned at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region," Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement, hours after the American warplanes and submarines bombed three key nuclear sites in Iran, officially joining Israel's war against the country.

Pakistan, which shares a 900-kilometre border with Iran, also reiterated that these attacks violate "all norms of international law and that Iran has the legitimate right to defend itself under the UN Charter,” according to NDTV.

Israeli forces have recovered the bodies of three hostages which had been held in the Gaza Strip since the Palestinian militant group Hamas' 2023 attack, the military and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday, Reuters reported.

The hostages were identified as civilians Ofra Keidar and Yonatan Samerano, and soldier Shay Levinson. All were killed on the day of the attack, on October 7, 2023, the military said.

With their retrieval, 50 hostages now remain in Gaza, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

The abduction of Samerano, 21 at the time of his death, by a man later identified by Israeli officials as a worker at the U.N.'s Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, was caught on CCTV.

Around 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, according to Israeli authorities, according to Reuters.

 At least 22 people have been killed and 63 others wounded in a suicide bomb attack at a church in Damascus, Syria's health ministry has said, BBC reported.

A man opened fire with a weapon at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias in the Dweila neighbourhood during a service on Sunday evening before detonating an explosive vest, according to the interior ministry.

It said the attacker was affiliated with the jihadist group Islamic State (IS). There was no immediate claim from the group itself.

Photos and video from inside the church showed a heavily damaged altar, pews covered in broken glass and blood spattered across the walls, according to BBC.

Depression is a widely discussed and prevalent mental disorder worldwide. It is classified as a mood disorder. There are different subtypes of depressive disorders, such as Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Seasonal Affective Depression and Postpartum Depression. However, one subtype that is less talked about is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome in women.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder or PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which is common with around 90 percent of women experiencing mental and physical changes, such as hormonal imbalances, mood swings, abdominal pain, bloating and acne, around seven to 10 days before their menstruation.

PMDD is identified when the severity of PMS symptoms begins impairing daily functioning. It shares a common causal factor with other subtypes of depression: the loss of serotonin. Women with PMDD are unable to produce enough serotonin during the premenstrual phase, leading to abnormal decrease of interest in normal activities, extreme self-critical thoughts, and persistent depressed mood. These symptoms occur alongside other physical symptoms, increased anxiety and often lead to conflicts with others as a social consequence.

A report by Harvard Medical School reveals that 15 percent of women with PMDD attempt suicide and are eager to get hysterectomies, surgical procedures to remove the womb. The suicidal thoughts are also accompanied by occasional thoughts and acts of violence that stem from the negative thinking patterns. Premenstrual issues, including PMDD, have been brought up in legal defenses in various criminal cases. A notable example is the 1981 case of Sandie Craddock in London, who was charged with manslaughter instead of murder after stabbing a co-worker. Her defense argued diminished responsibility based on cyclical violence due to severe premenstrual hormonal changes.

Physically, PMDD is associated with hormonal imbalances involving estrogen and progesterone, pivotal hormones regulating menstrual cycle and pregnancy. These imbalances lead to increased anxiety as well as intense fatigue. Along with amplified fatigue, sleep disruptions and heightened pain sensitivity are characteristics of PMDD. While the pain sensitivity is often linked to abdominal cramps caused by the shedding of the uterine lining, the heightened pain also adversely affects women’s mental well-being. Although unrelated to fertility, some studies link PMDD to irregular and erratic ovulation patterns.

Even though PMDD significantly affects women’s mental health worldwide, Nepal has very limited research on these conditions due to cultural menstrual taboos and general misunderstandings about PMDD. Available data reveal a high prevalence of premenstrual symptoms among young women in Nepal. A study of medical students at Kathmandu Medical College reported that 94 percent of females aged 17 to 22 experienced at least one premenstrual symptom, with 20.1 percent meeting criteria for PMS including insomnia. These findings underscore the true extent and impact of PMDD in Nepal, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted research and culturally sensitive health education.

A BBC report describes the case of a 33-year-old woman who suffered from severe depressive symptoms for two weeks each month when she often clashed with loved ones. The remaining weeks, she was cheerful and outgoing and tried to amend her relationships. This stark behavioral shift led to a misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder, highlighting how PMDD can be misinterpreted, while endangering both their mental well being and their reproductive health.

Despite its serious impact, the misunderstanding tied to this disorder, even by healthcare professionals, invites the lack of awareness and standardized screening protocols as one of the major challenges in treating PMDD. Many women suffer in silence, attributing their symptoms to ‘normal’ PMS or being misdiagnosed with disorders, such as bipolar disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. However, new developments have led to more precise diagnostic tools, including daily symptom tracking and hormonal assessments. Treatment approaches now include a combination of lifestyle adjustments, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Changes in lifestyle are also recommended by experts, such as incorporating yoga, nutritious and healthy diet and appropriate reproductive care into one’s life.

While PMDD shares similarities with PMS and mood disorders, it stands out as a distinct and serious condition that profoundly affects a woman’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. PMDD demands broader recognition, diagnostic practices and specialized care. As awareness grows and more women come forward with their experiences, it becomes clear that addressing PMDD is evidently a matter of reproductive health but also, a pressing mental health priority.

Meghana Saud

St Xavier’s College, Maitighar

“In a city with thousands of stone spouts, ancient canals, rivers, and ponds—we still want desperately for Melamchi. How foolish of us,” said Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah in a podcast with Sanjay Silwal Gupta. 

His words hit home—not just as a critique of our poor planning, but as a wake-up call. Kathmandu wasn’t always waiting on water tankers or chasing big-budget projects. Back in the 90s, the city breathed through the quiet flow of the Dhunge Dhara. These stone spouts, built with bare hands and brilliant minds, carried water from the hills into the hearts of communities. No motors, no fuel—just gravity, clay, and care. Today, most of them are bone-dry or buried under buildings. 

Long before cement mixers and big pipelines came to Kathmandu Valley, water used to quietly flow through old stone spouts, built by our ancestors with care and wisdom—locally known as Dhunge Dhara in Nepali and Hiti in Newa. These beautifully carved conduits weren’t just utilities; they were public spaces, engineering marvels, and sacred symbols of a civilization in tune with its natural environment. 

These spouts first emerged during the Kirat and Lichhavi eras and blossomed under the Malla kings of the 17th century, who commissioned vast canal systems (rajkulo) to feed these structures, for spiritual merit and practical need. King Pratap Malla of Kathmandu and King Jitamitra Malla of Bhaktapur were key figures who advanced this hydraulic vision. The genius of the system lay in its simplicity: gravity-fed water supply via canals and aquifers—zero motors, zero electricity. Even today, some still flow, quenching the thirst of low-income households who rely on them when piped water fails. 

At their peak, there were hundreds across the valley According to the 2019 Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Management Board (KVWSMB) survey, over 500 stone spouts were recorded across the Valley, with only a fraction still active today. In Kathmandu alone, just 40 were found to be flowing. Once dismissed as outdated, these spouts are now being reevaluated for their sustainability. 

Yet, time hasn’t been kind. Rapid urbanization, groundwater overuse, and pollution from septic tanks and factories have left many of these spouts dry or contaminated. Once central to life in the Valley, they now struggle to survive beneath roads, buildings, and shifting priorities. 

But their decline isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about memory. Every Hiti tells a story of craftsmanship, community, and an era where civil engineering was inseparable from culture. 

The engineering behind Dhunge Dhara

Dhunge Dhara has played a great role in the preservation of the history of Nepal and its working mechanism is as amazing as its historical background. The dhara which was established 1000 years ago in the early 5th century is contained with ancient engineering, natural science, and community sustainability. It works on the mechanism of collecting and conveying the groundwater and rainfall water to the surface and providing reliable drinking and bathing water to the local communities through the pipe system. 

Dhunge Dhara functioned traditionally with the help of collection of water through different resources. Spouts are inserted in such a way that the underground water is fed on it. Kathmandu Valley’s thick black clay (kalomati) made it hard to reach deep water, so people used springs and built canals (rajkulo) to bring river water to city ponds. These ponds fed stone spouts. Rainwater ponds on hills helped refill shallow aquifers and controlled floods by passing extra water through connected ponds. 

At a dhunge dhara, water first collected in an underground chamber (navi mandal), then flowed through buried channels (hiti du) to the spout. Built below street level, the system used gravity to create enough pressure for water to rise and flow out naturally. Spouts were often set in sunken courtyards to tap into shallow aquifers. Water emerged into a basin for use, and any excess was directed to fields, ponds, or other spouts, creating a connected, sustainable water network. 

Dhunge dharas in Kathmandu were built using smart and lasting methods. The spout, often carved like a sacred animal (like a makara), was set in a brick wall above a sunken water basin. The basin was sealed with special black clay to keep it waterproof and clean. Steps led down to the water, and many spouts had shrines or statues nearby, showing their religious importance. 

Underground, water came from a spring or aquifer and was carried through terracotta pipes sealed with clay. These pipes were made from U-shaped pieces covered with stones or wood to form closed channels. Builders used bowl-like joints to turn corners or slow water down. Clay seals also helped prevent leaks and protected against earthquakes. 

Before water reached the spout, it passed through simple filters made of sand, gravel, charcoal, or plant materials. These cleaned the water and improved its taste. Some spouts had valves or junctions to control flow and allow cleaning. Wastewater flowed out through similar clay-sealed drains to fields or ponds. 

Extra features included nearby wells (tun) for backup water and storage tanks (tutedhara) that saved overflow for later use. All parts were made from strong, local materials like stone, brick, and clay, and they were easy to repair. Many still work today thanks to their smart and sustainable design. 

Sustainable design and long-term functionality

Several key factors made the dhunge dhara system sustainable and reliable over the long term, even with minimal technology: 

• Rainwater harvesting and aquifer recharge: The dhunge dhara system worked as an early water harvesting method. During the monsoon, ponds and canals collected rainwater, which soaked into the ground and recharged shallow aquifers. These aquifers fed the stone spouts, allowing them to flow even in the dry season. Ponds at higher elevations helped spread recharge and prevent floods. 
• Gravity-based system: The entire system ran on gravity. Water flowed from springs or ponds to spouts without pumps or fuel. Smart placement of sources above the spouts kept water flowing naturally and continuously. 
• Durable materials and easy maintenance: Builders used strong, local materials like stone, brick, and terracotta. Clay seals and flexible joints made the system earthquake-resistant and easy to fix. Regular maintenance, especially during the Sithi Nakha festival, kept it working. Community groups (guthis) took care of cleaning and repairs. 
• Clean water and health: Water passed through simple filters (sand, gravel, charcoal) before reaching the spout. Since the source was often groundwater and the pipes were covered, the water was cleaner than surface sources. The spiritual value of dharas also encouraged cleanliness. 
• Reuse and sustainability: Water from the spouts was reused for irrigation, ponds, or lower spouts in a chain. It met many needs: drinking, washing, and rituals. Because the system relied on natural cycles, simple design, and community care, it was sustainable and efficient for centuries.

Modern decline of the stone spout system

Despite their ingenious design, Nepal’s stone spouts have suffered a severe decline in the modern era. 

• Neglect after piped water: With the arrival of piped water in the late 1800s, traditional spouts lost importance. Maintenance stopped, and many were damaged or buried during urban development, especially after the 1934 earthquake. 
• Urban growth and recharge loss: Rapid construction replaced open land and ponds with concrete, stopping rain from soaking into the ground. This cut off groundwater supply to many spouts. 
• Groundwater overuse: As demand grew, people drilled thousands of wells. Over-pumping drained the shallow aquifers that fed the spouts. Today, most spouts are dry or seasonal.
• Pollution: Sewage leaks and garbage have polluted groundwater. Some spouts now deliver unsafe water or become trash dumps. 
• Encroachment and damage: Roads and buildings have blocked or destroyed the underground channels. Earthquakes and lack of repairs worsened the situation. 

According to the same KVWSMB 2019 survey, only 30-40 percent of the traditional stone spouts still flow, and even those primarily during the monsoon season. But in times of water shortage, some people return to the old spouts. Activists and engineers are now working to revive them by restoring ponds and recharge areas—showing that the ancient system can still work if water is supplied. 

 A call to action

The story of Dhunge Dharas isn’t just a chapter in a history book—it’s a living reminder of how engineering, community, and nature once worked in harmony. As Kathmandu faces deepening water scarcity, these ancient systems offer real, local solutions that are both sustainable and culturally rooted. With our municipalities finally showing interest in reviving these spouts, now is the time for all of us to act. Explore your own neighborhoods, talk to elders, map the forgotten dharas, and share their stories. Because only when we remember, can we revive—and only when we revive, can we truly sustain.

Ruju Shahukhal & Saksham Rupakheti

+2 Graduate

Kathmandu Model College (KMC), Bagbazar