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Two teenagers were killed after being struck by lightning in Rautahat district on Saturday evening.

According to District Police Spokesperson DSP Raju Karki, the incident occurred around 6:30 pm in Kathariya Municipality-2, Hanthiyahi, where 16-year-old Seraj Laheri and 16-year-old Naveen Yadav lost their lives.

Police said the bodies of the victims have been sent to the Provincial Hospital in Gaur for post-mortem. Further details of the incident are under investigation.

Butwal is witnessing a spate of house burglaries during the Dashain festival as families who traveled to their hometowns for celebrations returned to find their homes ransacked. Locals say the incidents have left the community living in fear.

According to residents, burglars have broken into multiple houses, stealing gold ornaments, cash, laptops, and other valuables.

One of the major incidents occurred at the home of Rita Poudel of Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City-12, Dhawaha. While she was away in Sandhikharka, Arghakhanchi, to celebrate Dashain, burglars broke into her bedroom and stole nine tolas of gold, according to Yogendra Chhantyal, chairperson of Satgadhi Tole Development Committee. Poudel’s husband is currently in Portugal for employment.

Similarly, the house of 52-year-old Dilli Pokhrel from Moti Ganj, Butwal-14, was broken into, with thieves taking away 2.5 tolas of gold jewelry and Rs 235,000 in cash. “We had gone to our ancestral home in Arghakhanchi for tika,” Pokhrel said. “Soon after, I received a call that our house had been looted.”

Pokhrel’s tenant, Santu Bhusal from Parbat district, also reported losing Rs 40,000 in cash, while neighbor Gyanu Gautam said her house was broken into and Rs 40,000 stolen. Another Dhawaha resident, Manu Pandey, reported a theft of Rs 15,000 cash after burglars broke open the locks on her two-story house.

The home of traffic police inspector Pankaj Chundali, who was on duty in Gorusinge while his family celebrated Dashain in Arghakhanchi, was also targeted.

“These daily incidents of theft have spread fear in the community,” said Tan Bahadur KC, Rupandehi chair of the Rastriya Janamorcha party and a resident of Butwal-19. “Police must step up night patrols and monitor youths loitering in public spaces at night.”

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Indra Bahadur Rana of Area Police Office Butwal said officers have inspected the crime scenes and are working to identify the perpetrators.

According to police, the thefts have been reported in several areas, including Naharapur, Pattharganj, Motiganj, Dhawaha, Nayagaun, and Devinagar.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has assured citizens that all state resources are at their disposal during the ongoing disaster situation. Addressing the nation, she urged people to remain vigilant as continuous rainfall has heightened risk levels across the country.

PM Karki emphasized that government agencies are fully prepared for rescue and relief operations despite adverse natural conditions. “At this time, the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepali Army, administrative bodies, health workers, and other service agencies are ready 24/7 to provide emergency assistance and secure high-risk areas,” she said.

She added that all available resources have been deployed in coordination with national and local agencies. The Prime Minister warned citizens in flood-prone or landslide-risk areas to prioritize the safety of life and property, assess risks before undertaking any action, and follow all official warnings and directives issued by police and disaster management offices.

“Your safety is our utmost concern. Do not hesitate to seek necessary assistance. Recognizing the potential disaster risks, the government has declared public holidays nationwide on Oct 5 and 6,” she stated. PM Karki concluded by reassuring the public: “We understand your concerns and difficulties. You are not alone, all state resources are with you.”

With continuous rainfall across the country, the water level of the Saptakoshi River is expected to rise, prompting the Sunsari administration to alert nearby residents to remain cautious.

On Saturday, a team comprising Chief District Officer Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, Superintendent of Police Keshav Kumar Thebe, the Armed Police chief, representatives from the Nepali Army, and members of the District Disaster Management Committee conducted an on-site inspection from the Saptakoshi Barrage to Chatara Bridge.

After the inspection, SP Thebe stated that while the river’s current flow is normal and there is no immediate risk, continuous monitoring is being maintained. He emphasized that, based on past experiences, sudden floods cannot be ruled out, and residents living close to the river should stay vigilant.

“The flow of the Koshi River is currently normal, but ongoing rainfall could cause the water level to rise,” SP Thebe said. “Residents in areas such as Chatara, Chakraghatti, Prakashpur, Madhuwan, and Bhantabari have been advised to exercise extra caution, especially at night.”

According to Inspector Divas Kunwar of Mahendranagar Police Station, a special team of 25 police personnel has been placed on standby to mitigate potential risks in areas surrounding the Saptakoshi. Local ward offices, Red Cross teams, and community development committees have also been informed to remain alert.

Chief District Officer Mishra urged residents living in flood-prone areas to move to safer locations if necessary, stay vigilant at night, and immediately report any unusual activity or rising water levels to nearby police or local authorities.

The Sunsari District Disaster Management Committee confirmed that it is regularly monitoring the Koshi River and rainfall in coordination with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. The administration has also kept security personnel, boats, ambulances, and relief materials ready for emergency response.

The Kathmandu District Administration Office has issued an urgent notice warning ride-sharing services, including InDrive, Pathao, and Yango, against charging passengers excessively during the ongoing monsoon-related disaster.

The office said it has received complaints of passengers being charged significantly higher fares than usual. Authorities have urged all drivers and operators not to exploit passengers and warned that anyone found overcharging will face strict legal action.

Passengers who experience such fare gouging are requested to report the incident to the District Administration Office with proper evidence.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has requested private helicopter operators to keep their aircraft on standby to assist with rescue and relief operations amid ongoing heavy rainfall across several provinces.

According to forecasts from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, from Oct 4–6, Koshi Province to Lumbini Province is expected to experience heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms. The Ministry warned that the intense rainfall could trigger floods, landslides, and inundation, affecting vulnerable communities.

In coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and based on existing agreements with private operators, the Ministry instructed that helicopters be ready for immediate deployment upon written or verbal request for search and rescue, relief distribution, relocation, and rehabilitation efforts.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has been asked to facilitate coordination and ensure smooth operational readiness.

Photos: Nepal Photo Library 

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has issued a directive to immediately halt traffic movement along riverbank roads in the Kathmandu Valley.

According to the authority, continuous heavy rainfall across the country, including in the Valley, has significantly increased the risk of flooding. In view of the rising water levels in major rivers, vehicular movement along riverbank roads (corridor roads) has been prohibited from 6 pm today until 6 am tomorrow.

The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety, the authority said.