Submit your Article

The westerly winds have general impacts across the country.

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly region and fair in remaining parts of the country.

Foggy weather has occurred in some places of the Tarai and hilly regions. Temperature is steadily dropping in the Kathmandu Valley. This morning the minimum temperature was 8 degrees Celsius, which has now improved slightly to 10 degrees Celsius.

The Department has predicted maximum temperature to remain between 19 and 21 degrees Celsius in the federal capital today.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, the weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Karnali Provinces and fair in the rest of the country. 

Light rain is likely to occur at one or two places of the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and light snowfall at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi and Gandaki Provinces.

Similarly, the weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces tonight. Light rain is likely to occur at one or two places of the hilly regions of Koshi and Gandaki Provinces.

Light to moderate rain is likely to occur at one or two places of the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and light snowfall at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi and Gandaki Provinces in the next 24 hours.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 33.41 points to close at 2,716.66 points on Tuesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 4.50 points to close at 477. 57 points.

A total of 14,292,742-unit shares of 312 companies were traded for Rs 7. 44 billion.

Meanwhile, Support Microfinance Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. (SMB), United IDI Mardi RB Hydropower Limited. (UMRH) and Kutheli Bukhari Small Hydropower Limited (KBSH) were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Three Star Hydropower Limited (TSHL) was the top loser as its price fell by 10.00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 32 trillion.

Around 168 MW of electricity has been connected to the national transmission system, which was initiated in Rasuwa under the leadership of Chilime Hydropower, a subsidiary of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). The Authority constructed a 220/132/33 KV substation in Thambuchet, Amachhodingmo Rural Municipality, Rasuwa, where the electricity produced by the three projects is now connected to the national grid. The 111 MW Rasuwagadhi, 42.5 MW Sanjen, and 14.8 MW Upper Sanjen hydropower projects have all been completed and connected to the national transmission line.

Additionally, Upper Sanjen was completed in September of last year and has been commercially generating electricity, selling electricity worth about Rs 300m so far. The construction of the 42.5 MW Sanjen Hydropower Project has been completed, and electricity production began on a trial basis from Friday. The 111 MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project has also been completed and is currently undergoing trial electricity generation. Upon successful trial production and meeting the specified standards, commercial electricity production will begin at both Sanjen and Rasuwagadhi, with commercial operations expected to start within this month. The Upper Sanjen, Sanjen, and Rasuwagadhi hydropower projects, based on river flow, generate only about 80 MW of electricity during the winter.

Four projects, each with a capacity of 270 MW, have been initiated under the leadership of Chilime Hydropower Company. Three of these projects are completed, except for the 102 MW Madhya Bhotekoshi, which is still under construction in Sindhupalchowk.

All the projects faced challenges due to damage from the 2015 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, floods, landslides, weak geological conditions, difficulties in transporting construction materials and fuel during the Madhes movement, major floods in the project areas every rainy season, continuous landslides on access roads, the Covid-19 pandemic, and issues with the import of goods due to the closure of the China-Nepal border after the pandemic.

NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising stated that the completion of the Chilime projects, which had suffered delays due to various factors, is a significant achievement after continuous efforts. “When I was the Managing Director of Chilime Company, the construction of all four projects was pursued simultaneously with public investment. Although the projects faced delays mainly due to circumstances beyond our control, three of the projects have now been completed, and electricity production has commenced. The projects, located near the Kathmandu Valley, where electricity demand is high, will help balance and stabilize the electricity system during the winter,” said Managing Director Ghising.

Factors such as the earthquake, blockade, currency devaluation, extended construction periods due to loan interest rates, and increased administrative costs have led to an increase in the overall cost. The estimated cost of the Upper Sanjen and Sanjen projects was Rs 7.35bn, excluding interest during the construction period.

Arpan Bahadur Singh, CEO of Sanjen Hydropower Company, the project promoter, stated that the total estimated cost of the projects is Rs 9.2bn, excluding interest. He mentioned that, based on the cost estimate, the estimated cost for both projects is Rs 22.5m per megawatt. The Employees’ Provident Fund has provided loans to all four Chilime projects.

Chilime Hydropower Company holds 39.36 percent of the shares, the Authority holds 10.36 percent, and the Rasuwa local level has 1.28 percent in founder shares. Employees of the Employees’ Provident Fund and the founding organizations (the Authority, relevant local levels of Chilime and Rasuwa districts), as well as project-affected residents of Rasuwa and the general public, hold 49 percent of the common shares.

Upper Sanjen and Sanjen are expected to generate 1.8bn units of electricity annually. Upper Sanjen can operate at full capacity for 70 minutes during the evening peak, when electricity demand is highest. A peaking pond has been constructed for this purpose. CEO Singh explained that by storing water in the pond, additional electricity will be generated during the evening and winter months, contributing to the stability of the system.

Nepal is set to host the 6th Asian Population Association (APA) Conference from Nov 27 to 30, 2024, at Hotel Soaltee in Kathmandu. This event, organized by the APA in collaboration with Tribhuvan University’s Central Department of Population Studies (CDPS), will focus on critical demographic issues such as migration, aging, and fertility, alongside emerging topics like climate-induced displacement.  

Dr Bijaya Mani Devkota, a statistician and associate professor at CDPS, highlighted Nepal’s unique demographic challenges, with an annual population growth rate of 1.9 percent reshaped by migration and declining birth rates. Another CDPS professor, Dr Uddhav Sigdel, emphasized the imbalance in Nepal’s population distribution, with 54 percent of the population concentrated in the Terai, which constitutes only 23 percent of the country’s land.  

The conference will also address the impact of climate change on population dynamics, with rising temperatures in the Terai and frequent natural disasters driving internal migration to the hills and mountains.  

Padma Prasad Khatiwada, representing the National Organizing Committee, noted that foreign participants would receive extensive support, including free SIM cards for seamless communication, which can be collected at the APA Help Desk at Tribhuvan International Airport.  

With policymakers, researchers, and academics from across Asia attending, the conference aims to deliver actionable recommendations for addressing demographic challenges. Experts believe it will bolster Nepal’s role in shaping regional population policies while addressing pressing national issues.

Special occasions call for special cakes. Don’t you agree? If you are tired of ordering the same vanilla or black forest cake every time there’s something to celebrate, we’re here to save the day with our recommendations. Here are five amazing businesses you can try to shake things up. They have a nice line up of cakes that will leave you spoilt for choice.

Kharayo Bakes

From fresh gooey brownies and cheesecakes to energy bars and truffles, there’s a lot you can choose from when you are in the mood for something sweet. They take online orders and are quick with deliveries but if you want to check their range of goodies, they have an outlet at Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu as well. We have heard that you can never have enough of their milk cake and cheesecake.

Cakes Galore

If you want fancy party cakes, for birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries, look no further than Cakes Galore. Their tiered cakes are such stunning pieces and, though you might not want to cut (and ruin) them, they taste as wonderful as they look. They make customized cakes so you can get that ‘perfect’ cake of your dreams. However, you have to order well in advance so this can’t be an option if you’re planning something last minute.

UG Cakes

This could be your go-to place for cute bento box cakes that you can have all on your own or share with a friend. They have a wide range of flavors and the designs are simple and classy. They also take orders for bigger cakes but you could also create a neat line up or cluster of their bento cakes to serve at a large party. You also have the option of becoming their college brand ambassador or enrolling yourself in a bakery training course. This is one local business that seems to be taking its work quite seriously and trying to do as much as it can besides serving yummy desserts.

Dessert First

Available only on pre-order, Dessert First has a variety of cakes, desserts, and chocolates. A few regulars vouch for the quality of their ingredients. They say it’s the absolute best. The designs are elaborate and the cakes melt in your mouth. It’s quite literally a slice of heaven, says one customer adding she will never order from elsewhere. They are also prompt with deliveries though you can choose to pick up your order as well if you are more comfortable with that.

Sesame Bakery and Coffee

A quaint little place offering coffee and cakes, what more could you want? Located in Bakhundol in Lalitpur, Sesame Bakery and Coffee is a relatively new place serving a range of breads and cakes. Their mousse cakes are quite popular and so are their macarons that they claim to make from high quality ingredients. The café in itself is a nice place to hang out alone or with friends and indulge in some sweet treats.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is to assist in the reconstruction of the Kavre Valley Integrated Water Supply Scheme (KVIWSS) after it was damaged by the floods and landslides triggered by incessant rains on September 27 and 28.

The scheme is under construction for improving the water supply to three old cities in the district – Banepa, Panuti and Dhulikhel.

The ADB's commitment for support to the water supply scheme was made following a discussion on Monday between ADB officials including its Country Director for Nepal, Arnaud Cauchois and a team from the KVIWSS comprising its Board Chairman and Dhulikhel Municipality Mayor, Ashok Byanju.

The floods and landslides had devastated the water supply project which had reached the final phase of completion. Mayor Byanju said, after the meeting with ADB officials, that ADB has expressed its commitment for assistance for the reconstruction of the water supply scheme.

According to him, ADB has pledged to prepare the detailed project report and to provide financial assistance for the reconstruction of the project.

Mayor Byanju said the natural disaster damaged the water supply infrastructure including the project's in-take, water tank and the distribution mains and branch pipes. The damage was worth Rs 218 million.

KVIWSS was launched in 2012 to solve the drinking water supply-related problems in Dhulikhel, Banepa and Panauti towns.

It is projected that 140, 000 people of the three towns would be benefited from the project due for completion in 2024, with 24-hours water supply in taps at their homes.

The project cost is Rs 990. 80 million without adding VAT.

-

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 2, 600 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 148, 700 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 151, 300 per tola on Monday.

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 25 and is being traded at Rs 1,820 per tola today.

Ambassador of Israel to Nepal Shmulik Arie Bass paid a heartfelt tribute to Nepal’s first elected Prime Minister BP Koirala during a visit to the BP Museum in Sundarijal on Tuesday.

After presenting his credentials to President Ram Chandra Paudel on November 22, Ambassador Bass made his first public visit to honor the enduring friendship between Nepal and Israel, established 64 years ago on June 1, 1960.

During the visit, Ambassador Bass reflected on the visionary leadership of BP Koirala and instrumental role in establishing diplomatic relations between Nepal and Israel during Israel’s foundation period. “My team and I will work to ensure this friendship lasts forever,” said Ambassador Bass, according to a statement issued by the Embassy of Israel.

Welcoming Ambassador Bass, Chairperson of BP Museum Parasuram Pokharel remarked: “Nepal’s first elected Prime Minister, Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1960. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ambassador Shmulik Arie Bass and the Government of Israel for visiting the Musuem, named in honor of BP Koirala. We are confident that this visit will further strengthen the long-standing ties between Nepal and Israel. It is worth noting that this museum was once a jail where BP Koirala was imprisoned for nine years.”

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Nepal and Israel have been enjoying deep friendship, which is being demonstrated by many high-level visits and undertaking of numerous mutually benefitting cooperation in various sectors including agriculture, education, health among many others, especially through MASHAV (Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation). Both countries continue to strengthen this bond at multiple levels, from government-to-government cooperation to people-to-people level.

It may be noted that Nepal was the first country in South Asia to recognize Israel as a State. Two men with extraordinary visions and respect for their countries and their peoples, late BP Koirala and late David Ben-Gurion, both the then Prime Ministers of their respective countries, were able to see this friendship standing strong to this present time.