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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.

Today, on the main day of the Dashain, devotees received red tika, symbolizing auspiciousness, and jamara, representing prosperity, from their elders.

The tika and jamara, offered as blessings after nine days of worship, were applied this morning at the auspicious time of 11:53 am, as determined by the Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Bikas Samiti. However, Professor Shambhu Prasad Dhakal, the committee chair, noted that since Vijayadashami itself is inherently auspicious, ordinary people do not need to follow a auspicious time to receive tika today.

Following Vedic rituals, the tika is applied from the kalash (sacred pot) installed during Ghatasthapana, marking the ceremonial culmination of the festival. On this day of Ashwin Shukla Dashami, families joyfully apply tika and jamara from elders as blessings of Durga Bhawani.

Those unable to participate today can receive tika from elders during Kojagrat Purnima.

Traditionally, tika is applied facing east and received from the west. The person applying the tika faces west, while the receiver faces east. Southward orientation is reserved for ancestral rites, and some follow lunar-based timing to determine direction. The Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Bikas Samiti confirmed that this east–west orientation remains the established practice.

The Ministry of Finance has announced that Nepali and foreign nationals entering Nepal can bring up to $5,000 without customs declaration. Any amount exceeding this limit must be declared at customs.

The ministry further stated that individuals are allowed to keep a maximum of $1,500, or its equivalent in convertible foreign currency, in cash. “Nepali or foreign nationals can bring up to $5,000, the equivalent in Indian rupees, or other foreign currencies not published by Nepal Rastra Bank, without customs declaration. Amounts above this threshold must be declared and certified,” the ministry said in a notice.

It added that Nepali citizens are permitted to retain up to $1,500, or equivalent, in cash from their foreign earnings, remittances, or unspent travel exchange facilities for future use.

The ministry clarified that legally earned and declared funds face no restrictions on storage or use. However, undeclared cash found in possession will be investigated and prosecuted under prevailing laws, including the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2008.

According to the ministry, reports emerged via media and social networks that cash had been found burned or destroyed during the protests on Sept 8–9.

The ministry reiterated that, in line with government policy, all transactions for goods, services, and other business dealings must be conducted through financial institutions or banking instruments. Any transaction worth Rs 1m or more must be carried out via banking channels, it said.

On the day of Bijaya Dashami, jamara, considered the sacred blessing of Goddess Navadurga, is being sold at various intersections of Kathmandu. While most households grow jamara from the day of Ghatasthapana, those unable to grow it at home for various reasons purchase it from vendors. Traders said each bunch of jamara is being sold for Rs 100 to Rs 150.

Photo: Nepal Photo Library

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) for Nepal.

The IMF Executive Board endorsed the sixth review of Nepal’s ECF program, granting approval for continued support under the facility.

According to Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal, Nepal successfully completed the sixth review of the IMF’s ECF arrangement.

Sharing the update on Facebook on Thursday morning, Minister Khanal confirmed that the IMF Board meeting had endorsed Nepal’s sixth ECF review.

With this approval, Nepal has opened the door to receive additional financial assistance under the ECF program.