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Authorities have completely halted vehicle movement along the BP Highway after the water level in the Roshi River surged on Saturday.

Traffic was suspended as rising river flow, landslides, mudslides, and falling rocks in several areas had posed serious risks.

Continuous rainfall since Friday night in most parts of Kavre has caused the Roshi River to swell dangerously. Since the highway also serves as a diversion route, authorities decided to impose a complete ban on vehicle movement to minimize potential risks.

A passenger bus met with an accident in Shivaraj Municipality-1, Banakasbasa, along the East-West Highway on Saturday morning, leaving one person dead and 36 others injured.

According to the District Traffic Police Office, the bus (Na 8 Kha 5703), en route to Kathmandu from Dhangadhi, crashed at around 6 am.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Ripendra Singh confirmed that one woman lost her life in the accident, though her identity has not yet been established. Among the injured, four are reported to be in critical condition.

Police said 15 moderately and severely injured passengers received primary treatment at a health facility in Chandrauta before being referred to Butwal for further care.

The accident occurred on a relatively simple curve of the highway. Police suspect the driver may have dozed off behind the wheel, given the early morning timing.

On the third day of the Dashain tika ritual, devotees across the country are continuing to receive red tika and jamara as blessings from their elders, considered the sacred offerings of Goddess Navadurga.

On Ashwin Shukla Dwadashi, people are still visiting the homes of their elders to receive the tika and jamara. According to the Nepal Panchanga Decision Committee, the practice of offering tika and jamara, which begins on Vijayadashami after nine days of Navadurga worship, continues until the full moon day. Family members living far away traditionally visit their elders to receive blessings until that time.

In some districts of western Nepal, however, the custom is to receive tika and jamara only on the day of Vijayadashami itself. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has advised people to avoid long-distance travel unless necessary due to heavy rainfall and road blockages.

The government has suspended all vehicle movement in and out of the Kathmandu Valley for three days due to heavy rainfall forecasts.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the decision was taken after the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology predicted continued heavy rainfall across most parts of the country.

The ban will be in effect on Oct 4, 5, and 6 (Ashoj 18, 19, and 20) for long-distance vehicles operating from Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, as well as all vehicles entering or leaving the Kathmandu Valley.

Three people lost their lives in separate road accidents on Thursday in Ramechhap, Chitwan, and Nawalparasi West districts.

In Ramechhap Municipality-7, Bhalukhop, a taxi (Bagmati Province BH 9219) heading towards Ramechhap Danda from Bhalukhop met with an accident after losing control on Thursday afternoon. The driver, 41-year-old Lal Kaji Ghising of Hudichhap, Manthali Municipality-4, who was critically injured, died during treatment at Ramechhap District Hospital.

In Chitwan, a pedestrian was killed after being hit by a bus (Ga 2 Kha 1404) at Pipal Chowk, Bharatpur Metropolitan City-7, on Thursday evening. The victim, 72-year-old Nandakali Kandel of the same locality, succumbed to injuries during treatment at Bharatpur Government Hospital. Police have taken the bus driver into custody.

Similarly, in Nawalparasi West, a pedestrian was killed after being hit by a motorcycle (Ba 82 Pa 9863) at Nayabasti, Sunwal Municipality-2, on Thursday night. The victim, 50-year-old Pramila Teli of the same area, died early Friday morning while undergoing treatment at Tinau International Hospital, Butwal, Rupandehi. Police have taken the motorcyclist into custody.

Police said investigations into the accidents are underway.

Police have arrested four individuals with illegal drugs in separate operations in Sunsari and Kailali districts.

In Sunsari’s Barahachhetra Municipality-3, Ramailo Chowk plotting area, police arrested 22-year-old Samir Chandravanshi of Barahachhetra-10 on Thursday evening. He was found with 35 tablets of Nitrazepam and 8 tablets of Spasmo. The arrest was made by a team from Bharol Police Post.

Similarly, police apprehended 25-year-old Dipesh Kumar Mehta of Bokraha Narsingh Rural Municipality-1 from Bhutahakhal, Barahachhetra-10, on Thursday afternoon. He was caught with 360 milligrams of a substance resembling brown sugar heroin while riding a motorcycle (Ko 16 Pa 3993) towards Prakashpur. The arrest was made by a team from Prakashpur Police Post.

In another operation, police arrested two individuals from Khakraul, Tikapur Municipality-9, Kailali, on Thursday night with 210 milligrams of a substance suspected to be brown heroin. The arrestees have been identified as 22-year-old Ravi Chaudhary of Rajapur Municipality-4, Bardiya, and 33-year-old Suresh Bik. The arrests were carried out by a team from Kalakund Police Post.

Police said further investigation into the cases is underway.

Rajapur Municipality-5, Bardiya, is alive with the festive charm of the traditional Sakhiya Naach performed by the Tharu community. Beginning before Dashain and continuing for several days after the festival, this dance adds vibrancy to Tharu villages.

According to village elder Pradesi Chaudhary of Khallajaypur, the Sakhiya dance begins as soon as Dashain starts. In this dance, young women perform while young men play the madal (traditional drum). The more intensely the madal is played, the livelier the atmosphere becomes. Around 20 to 25 young women participate, dressed in white fariya (skirt), red choliya (blouse), and red ribbons.

Linked to stories from the Mahabharata, the Sakhiya dance is performed collectively with madal and manjira (cymbals), accompanied by songs. The songs invoke the names of various deities of the Tharu community, highlighting the dance’s cultural and religious significance.

“We perform this dance every year to preserve our tradition because the younger generation is gradually forgetting our culture,” said elder Pradesi Chaudhary.

Text & Photos: Nepal Photo Library

Minister for Home, Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Om Prakash Aryal inspected the Nepal Police Disaster Management Office at Samakhushi on Friday and instructed the police personnel present. During the visit, Minister Aryal observed a simulated disaster rescue drill, inspected the disaster response equipment and the Police Disaster Response Team, and received a briefing on related activities.

Speaking at a program held after the inspection, Minister Aryal praised the efforts of Nepal Police in disaster management despite limited resources and training. He instructed the personnel to remain on constant readiness with high morale to be mobilized immediately to minimize loss of lives and property in case of potential disasters.

On the occasion, Additional Inspector General (AIG) Siddhi Bikram Shah, head of the Operations Department at Nepal Police Headquarters, expressed gratitude, while Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Santosh Kumar Bhattarai, chief of the Disaster Management Office, gave a presentation on disaster incidents, police mobilization, monsoon preparedness, response plans, requirements for effective response, and future strategies.

The program was attended by AIG Dan Bahadur Karki, chief of Kathmandu Valley Police Office, senior police officials, and police personnel.