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The Nepali Congress' federal lawmakers have pledged to provide 15 days' salary for relief operations for the victims of natural calamities.

The meeting of the NC Parliamentarian Party expressed sorrow over the unimaginable loss of lives and properties due to landslides, floods and inundation caused by torrential rains on September 27 and 28 in different districts.

The attendees of the meeting extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished speedy recovery of those injured in the natural disasters.

The meeting decided to provide financial support through the government, it was shared.

It may be noted that the death toll from the recent rainfall and subsequent disasters have claimed 148 lives till date. While 55 have gone missing, and 100 others injured, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated.

NC President and Parliamentary Party leader Sher Bahadur Deuba presided over the meeting at his personal residence, Budhanilakantha.

Deuba, also the former Prime Minister, urged the incumbent government to accelerate the reconstruction process of important public infrastructures such as roads, bridges, school buildings, health posts and police posts among others which sustained damages from the recent rain-triggered flood, landslide and inundation.

Additionally, the parliamentarians highlighted the need for immediate rehabilitation of those rendered homeless by disasters, informed Chief Whip Shyam Kumar Ghimire. 

They also appealed to all members of the federal parliament to contribute to this cause from their respective roles.

The death toll in the floods and landslides triggered by incessant rainfall has reached 148 while the number of people gone missing stands at 55.

As the rains lashed out various districts including the Kathmandu Valley itself, incidents of landslide, flood and inundation took such a number of lives and damaged huge property.

It has been learnt that 100 people were injured in the recent catastrophes.

Categorically, Dhading district witnessed 38 deaths, Lalitpur 22, Kathmandu 16, Kavre 29, Makawanpur seven, Sindhpalchowk six, and Solukhumbu, Panchthar and Bhaktapur five each, according to Rishiram Tiwari, Spokesperson at Home Ministry.

Similarly, Dolakha had three casualties, Sindhuli, Dhankuta, Jhapa, Ramchhap and Mahottari two each, and Udayapur, Ilam, Saptari, and Nuwakot one each.

A total of 9,983 security persons were mobilized for search and rescue operations in the disaster-hit areas, while 3,662 people have been rescued so far.

The floods and landslides pulled down 322 houses and 16 bridges, according to data provided by the Armed Police Force.

Nepal Students Union (NSU) at Nepal Law Campus is organizing a free screening of the critically acclaimed Nepali drama film Shambhala, followed by a panel discussion featuring members of the movie's crew. Shambhala, a 2024 release directed by Min Bahadur Bham and starring Thinley Lhamo, Tenzin Dalha, and Sonam Topden, gained international recognition as the first Nepali film to compete at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival for the prestigious Golden Bear.

The event is scheduled for Sept 30 (Monday) at 6:30 am at Vishwajyoti Cineplex, Jamal. The panel discussion will feature director Min Bahadur Bham, lead actors Thinley Lhamo and Karma Shakya, who will engage with students and attendees. The discussion is expected to explore themes such as women’s empowerment and the portrayal of northern Nepalese society through the lens of cinema.

"This event will play a key role in reflecting the reality of northern Nepal through the medium of cinema and will highlight women's empowerment issues across the country," said MD Mazid Parwez, President of NSU Nepal Law Campus.

While entry to the screening is free, only 150 participants will be allowed, and they must register via a Google Form provided by NSU NLC. The event will be hosted by Ashis Sapkota and aims to foster a connection between law students, the legal fraternity, and Nepal's often-overlooked northern culture.

Ten more bodies have been recovered from a micro bus buried in a landslide at Jhayple Khola in Dhunbesi Municipality-9, Dhading.

It has been learnt that the bus was heading towards Kathmandu from Chitwan.

With this, the number of bodies recovered from Jhyaple Khola has reached 13 on Sunday alone.

Information Officer at the District Police Office Dhading Prahlad Silwal informed that the bodies of eight men and two women have been found since this morning.

Fourteen bodies were recovered on Saturday.

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has launched the service for exchanging clean notes for the public today, targeting the Dashain festival.

According to NRB assistant spokesperson Dr Dilliram Pokhrel, the service shall be available until October 8 at the central bank's central and provincial offices and at the branches of all banks and financial institutions.

Pokhrel said individuals are allowed to exchange up to Rs 18,500 of denominations of five, 10, 20, 50, and 100 per head from any bank or financial institution accessible to them. 

Until last year, the Bank would circulate completely fresh notes for the Dashain purpose, but the provision has been changed this time. This time, used but clean or unstained notes are to be provided.

All the roads leading to Kathmandu from Hetauda are closed as they are disrupted due to flood and landslides triggered by incessant rains from Thursday till Saturday.

The Hetauda-Kathmandu road section, the Kanti Highway, the Bhimphedi-Kulekhani-Sisneri-Dakshinkali-Kathmandu roadway, the Kulekhani-Matatirtha-Kathmandu road and the Tribhuvan Highway remain obstructed due to the landslides and floods occurred on Saturday, the District Administration Office Makawanpur said. 

Chief District Officer Tirtharaj Chiluwal said that effors are on to open the Tribhuvan Highway by the evening today. According to him, it will take some time to open the other roadways except Tribhuvan Highway.

CDO Chiluwal added that the District Administration is making coordination with the police, the local levels and the Department of Roads to clear the landslide debris and repair the roads damaged by landslides and floods at different places.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 600 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 160, 600 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 161, 200 per tola on Friday.

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 10 and is being traded at Rs 1,945 per tola today.

French Ambassador to Nepal, Virginie Corteval, has expressed grief over the loss of life and property due to floods and landslides, while expressing her empathy to the government and the people of Nepal.

Speaking at a reception held to mark Nepal-France educational partnership, at her residence on Saturday evening, Ambassador Corteval said that she was saddened by the news of the loss of precious lives and property in the natural disaster, and said that the government of France and the French people express their heartfelt empathy and solidarity with the government and the people of Nepal at this hour of grief and crisis.

On a different note, she expressed her belief that the educational fair organized by targeting Nepalis who want to study in academic educational institutions of France would further advance the relationship between France and Nepal through the medium of education.

Ambassador Corteval also expressed her belief that Nepal would benefit from the provision of French scholarships for talented students of the country.

The higher education fair titled "Choose France Tour Nepal 2024" was held on September 28 at the Alliance Française in Pulchowk, Lalitpur.

As part of the French government's "Choose France" initiative, the fair provided Nepali students with various opportunities to pursue advanced studies, including Ph.D. programs and scholarships at top French institutions. Representatives from 17 leading universities, including Grandes Ecoles, and colleges offered programs across diverse fields, such as management, engineering, humanities, arts, architecture, and design.

Organized by the French Embassy in Nepal, in collaboration with Campus France, the fair provides students with counseling sessions, scholarship information, visa application guidance, and insights into student life in France.