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Two people were killed and 26 others injured in a bus accident in Mahottari on Friday morning.

According to the District Police Office, Mahottari, a passenger bus (Na 6 Kha 1464) heading towards Kathmandu met with an accident at Bardibas Municipality-10, Khayarmara. The accident claimed the lives of a pedestrian and a passenger on board.

Police confirmed that 65-year-old local resident Chulhai Chaudhary, who was walking by the roadside, died on the spot after being hit by the bus. Similarly, 10-year-old Pramis Khadka of Ishworpur Municipality-12, Sarlahi, who was traveling in the bus, died while undergoing treatment at Shubha Swastik Hospital, Bardibas.

The crash also left 26 passengers injured, including 13 women. They are currently receiving treatment at Shubha Swastik Hospital.

District Traffic Police Chief Laxmi Raj Joshi said the bus lost control, crashed through the wall of Laxminarayan Secondary School in Khayarmara, and hit a coconut tree before halting.

The exact cause of the accident has not yet been determined, police spokesperson DSP Shailendra Kumar Bhatta said, adding that further investigation is underway.

On the second day of Dashain Tika, people across the country continued receiving red tika and jamara from elders as a symbol of blessings and prosperity. The day coincides with Papankusha Ekadashi of the lunar calendar, during which many devotees also observe fasting. Those observing the Ekadashi fast are expected to receive tika tomorrow.

According to the Nepal Panchang Determination Committee, the practice of receiving tika and jamara as the prasad of Goddess Navadurga begins on Vijaya Dashami, following nine days of worship from Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami. The ritual continues until the full moon day, allowing relatives living far away to visit their elders and receive blessings until then.

Meanwhile, traffic in and out of the Kathmandu Valley increased from early morning today as travelers began returning after celebrating Dashain in their hometowns. Compared to Wednesday and Thursday, the main roads witnessed heavier congestion today.

The weather across the country is presently influenced by both monsoon and local winds.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the weather will remain generally cloudy across the country today, with chances of moderate rainfall in some hilly and Terai regions of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, as well as in a few places in the hilly and Tarai regions of Madhes Province.

Likewise, heavy rainfall is expected at one or two places in the hilly areas of Karnali and Bagmati provinces, and in the Terai region of Lumbini Province.

Tonight, the weather will also remain generally cloudy across the country. Moderate rainfall is likely in the hilly areas of Koshi, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, in a few places of the Tarai region, in Madhes Province, and in the remaining provinces.

In view of the forecast for heavy rainfall at one or two places in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Lumbini, and Gandaki provinces, the public have been urged to take necessary precautions against potential risks from the rain.

The District Administration Office (DAO) has urged the public to remain highly cautious from Oct 3 to 6, citing forecasts of active monsoon conditions across several provinces.

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology’s Forecasting Division, heavy rainfall is expected in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces.

Following this forecast, the DAO has advised heightened preparedness. Authorities have particularly warned that sudden floods could occur in small rivers and streams of Kathmandu Valley, Kavrepalanchok, Makwanpur, and other districts.

The risk of floods, inundation, landslides, and soil erosion remains high. Travelers on the Kanti Highway and roads linking Bagmati Rural Municipality, Konjyosom Rural Municipality, and Mahankal Rural Municipality have been asked to exercise extra caution.

The DAO has further suggested avoiding nighttime travel unless absolutely necessary. Residents in vulnerable areas are urged to remain vigilant from Oct 3 to 6, take precautionary measures to reduce risks, and follow instructions issued by security agencies or local governments.

Vehicular movement has been restricted at night on two major roads between Hetauda and Kathmandu till Oct 6, starting tonight (Oct 3), due to forecasts of heavy rain.

According to Makawanpur’s Chief District Officer, Scheme Shrestha, vehicles will not be allowed to move through the Kanti Highway from 4:00 pm to 6:00 am and on the Hetauda–Bhaise–Kathmandu road from 5:00 pm to 6:00 am. These restrictions will remain in place until Oct 6.

The decision was made based on rainfall predictions from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, citing the influence of local and monsoon winds.

The CDO has urged the public to avoid long-distance or night travel unless it’s an emergency, and to stay alert for possible rain-related risks. 

Vehicular movement along the Kavre Bhanjyang–Bhakundebesi–Sindhuli section of the BP Highway has been restricted at night.

According to the Kavre District Administration Office, the restriction will remain in place from today until Tuesday. Vehicles, except ambulances and those providing essential services, will not be allowed to operate between 5 pm and 5 am on this stretch of the highway.

The decision was taken due to forecasts of heavy rainfall from Oct 3 to 6, which could pose risks along the highway, the office stated.

Dashain is a special festival for all Nepalis, celebrated with family gatherings, blessings of tika and jamara from elders, feasts, and traditional games like ping swings.

In villages across Nepal, swings remain a major attraction and source of entertainment during the festival. Traditionally, two types of swings are set up—linge ping, made from bamboo and ropes, and rote ping, made of wood.

Since these swings are built only during Dashain and Tihar, villagers, especially children and youth, eagerly flock to them for fun. A popular belief also holds that one must leave the ground at least once on a swing during Dashain.

In Gorkha’s Ajirkot Sirandanda, locals were seen enjoying swings as part of their festive celebrations.

Text & Photos: Nepal Photo Library

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The Flood Forecasting Division under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has warned of moderate flood risk in 17 districts today.

According to the division, water levels in major rivers including the Koshi, Narayani, Bagmati, Karnali, Mahakali, and their tributaries, as well as the Kankai, Kamala, Eastern Rapti, Babai, and Western Rapti, are expected to rise significantly.

The division further stated that small rivers and streams flowing through Dolakha, Ramechhap, Sindhupalchok, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Gorkha, Dhading, Kavrepalanchok, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Chitwan, Nawalparasi East, Nawalparasi West, Rupandehi, Kailali, and Kanchanpur are also likely to swell.

Authorities have urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain cautious and take necessary safety measures.