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Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, was arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police on Sunday. This marks the first high profile arrest from the new government. The arrest is linked to the 9-kilogram gold smuggling case dating back to Dec 2022, when a Chinese national, Li Hansong, arrived in Kathmandu from Fly Dubai flight FZ-0587 carrying two suitcases. Inside those suitcases were 73 vape packs containing a total of 730 vape pieces, which were later found to have concealed gold worth Rs 85.5m.

According to CIB’s investigation, the gold was smuggled and sold in collusion with customs officer Rewant Khadka and others. Mahara is accused of exerting pressure on customs officials to release the gold. His son, Rahul Mahara, had earlier been arrested and sent to jail in connection with the same case.

The suspicious suitcases had been seized by the Tribhuvan International Airport Customs Office after the discovery of the vapes. Li Hansong had left Kathmandu shortly after retrieving his passport, while the seized vapes remained in customs custody.

Following suspicions that the gold concealed in the vapes had been secretly replaced, the Customs Office formally requested the CIB to investigate in April 2023. After two months of investigation, CIB concluded that 9 kilograms of gold had been smuggled, filing a case against six people including customs officer Khadka.

A supplementary charge sheet was later filed, naming Belgian national of Chinese origin Dawa Chhiring, his driver Lokendra Paudel, Rahul Mahara, and Nima Gurung as accomplices. Krishna Bahadur Mahara’s arrest marks the third prosecution related to the case.

CIB had recently taken Mahara’s statement as part of its ongoing investigation. Call records reportedly showed continuous communication between Mahara, his son Rahul, and Chinese nationals Li Hansong.

Although Mahara had earlier been questioned, the case had not progressed due to alleged political protection.

Once known as an honest leader during the conflict era, Mahara’s political career has been marred by controversies since joining peaceful politics. He has previously faced allegations in multiple cases,  including the misuse of Rs 400m in funds meant for Maoist combatant management, irregularities in frequency distribution during his tenure as Minister for Information and Communications, and an infamous 2010 audio scandal in which he was allegedly heard seeking Rs 500m from a Chinese national to buy lawmakers’ support. None of those cases, however, led to prosecution.

Elected from Dang-2 in the 2017 general election, Mahara became Speaker but was forced to resign in 2019 after charges of sexual misconduct against a female employee at the Federal Parliament Secretariat. Though he was arrested and jailed, he was later acquitted by the District Court and the verdict was upheld by the Patan High Court.

Since then, Mahara has remained largely inactive in politics, limiting himself to party affairs. He was elected Vice-chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Centre) at its last General Convention and was also serving as the party’s spokesperson.

Nepal’s economy continues to recover steadily despite disruptions to trade and aid globally, states the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Sixth Review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), published on Monday. The IMF has predicted Nepal’s economic growth at 4.3 percent in 2024/25, supported by a revival in construction and manufacturing, continued hydropower expansion, and a good agricultural harvest that buffered the effects of the Sept 2024 floods.

The IMF notes that Nepal has been relatively sheltered from the recent trade tensions and aid-related shocks in the world due to its small export base—exports account for hardly three percent of GDP. The external position has strengthened, driven by robust growth in exports, remittances, and tourism that have outpaced the increase in imports. Nepal’s foreign gross reserves stood at $17.6bn as of mid-2025, which is equal to nearly 11 months of imports, and the current account is expected to remain in surplus at 3.9 percent of GDP.

Inflation has also moderated significantly—from a post-flood peak of 6.1 percent in Dec 2024 to just 2.7 percent in June 2025—aided by improved food supply, lower Indian inflation, and subdued consumer demand. The IMF is expecting inflation to be held within the Nepal Rastra Bank's (NRB) target of about five percent for 2024/25.

Although Nepal’s growth prospect appears to be good, the IMF warns of continued financial sector vulnerabilities. Non-performing loans (NPLs) rose to 5.2 percent as of end-April 2025, eroding banks’ capital buffers, as the NRB reintroduced forbearance for the construction sector. Average provisioning coverage dipped to 65 percent, and commercial banks' core capital dropped to 9.5 percent, weakening their loss-absorbing buffers.

On the fiscal side, spending growth was repressed even in the face of weak revenues. Tax receipts grew by 10.7 percent, supported by new excise duties on petroleum products, tobacco, and alcohol, but remained less than expected. The primary fiscal deficit was estimated at 1.3 percent of GDP, mirroring continued fiscal consolidation.

The IMF called on the authorities to accelerate capital spending execution, improve public investment management, and execute the Domestic Revenue Mobilization Strategy (DRMS) for fiscal sustainability. It also called for the expansion of child grant programs and social protection initiatives to buffer the most vulnerable households.

Nepal’s progress under the IMF-supported program has been ‘broadly adequate’. The country met all quantitative performance criteria on international reserves and fiscal deficit, but missed the indicative target on child welfare grants.

The IMF has recommended that Nepal raise capital expenditure and remove bottlenecks to public investment to underpin domestic demand and medium-term growth. It has also emphasized improving revenue mobilization by removing unnecessary VAT exemptions and improving tax compliance.

In order to address rising vulnerabilities in the banking sector, the IMF has urged completing the loan portfolio review (LPR) of the 10 largest banks and advised caution in establishing the intended Asset Management Company (AMC) for addressing bad loans. In addition, the IMF has called for enhanced governance and financial integrity through the amendment of the Nepal Rastra Bank Act to enhance central bank independence and the full implementation of anti-money laundering regimes to enable the graduation of Nepal from the FATF gray list.

The IMF forecasts Nepal’s GDP growth to accelerate to 5.2 percent in 2025/26, driven by higher capital spending and a rebound in domestic demand. The medium-term outlook is favorable, supported by mega infrastructure and hydropower projects, alongside structural reforms to improve competitiveness and private-sector development.

However, political uncertainty, financial sector weaknesses, and slow pace of reforms could derail progress, cautions the IMF. Rising emigration, natural disasters, and global economic headwinds also pose significant downside risks.

Deputy Managing Director of IMF Bo Li praised Nepal for trying to maintain macroeconomic stability amidst political uncertainty, and said: “Nepal’s reform program under the ECF continues to underpin a gradual economic recovery while preserving macroeconomic stability and protecting the vulnerable. Continued commitment to economic reforms remains crucial to support growth, reduce poverty, and foster public trust.”

With the conclusion of this review, the IMF Executive Board approved a disbursement of $43m, with total disbursements under the ECF reaching $341m since the program began in 2022.

The overall assessment of the IMF is that Nepal’s recovery is firming but fragile. The IMF highlights that sustained reform implementation, enhanced governance, and prudent fiscal and monetary management will be key to making growth more resilient and inclusive in the years to come.

A recent international report has documented appalling levels of child abuse and sexual exploitation in South Asia, and Nepal is one of the countries most vulnerable to this. It is estimated that nearly one in eight children in South Asia has been sexually assaulted or raped before the age of 18, as reported by the Childlight Global Child Safety Institute. The institute estimated that in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and India, 12.5 percent of children, a total of 54m, have been sexually victimized, including 14.5 percent of girls and 11.5 percent of boys.

The study, Into The Light and published on Tuesday, was conducted by Childlight, a global child safety institute based at the University of Edinburgh and the University of New South Wales. It warns that behind the closed doors of their homes, a “human tragedy” is unfolding across the region, with millions of children subjected to both physical and online sex abuse.

In addition to sexual exploitation, the report highlights a staggering rise in cyber child exploitation, including a 1,325 percent rise in poisonous AI-created content during the past year, such as “deepfake” images that overlay children’s faces on pornographic images. The research is being demonstrated this week in New Delhi and Kerala, where Childlight is collaborating with Indian police at the region’s largest cybersecurity conference, c0c0n, to enhance digital defenses and locate abusers.

India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan lead the country in the most child sexual abuse material (CSAM), according to data reported by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and INHOPE. NCMEC reported more than 2.2m cases in India, 1.1m in Bangladesh, and 1m in Pakistan in 2024 alone. Adjusted for population, the Maldives had the highest in the region’s CSAM rate at 94 cases per 10,000 people, followed by Bangladesh (64.1), Pakistan (41.3), Bhutan (41), Afghanistan (28.9), Sri Lanka (27.8), Nepal (19.4), and India (15.5).

Childlight CEO Paul Stanfield, a previous director of INTERPOL, called the results a worldwide emergency. “Abuse is nearer than folks imagine. Millions of children’s lives are being ruined by physical and sexual abuse online. It is preventable, and all of us can and must intervene to stop it,” he stated.

In Nepal, Anil Raghuvanshi of ChildSafeNet called on governments and tech business leaders to take action. “Children become increasingly exposed to abuse and exploitation on the internet. Governments and technology companies should take action at once with effective protections and sufficient resources. Not safeguarding children is not fulfilling their duties,” he said.

South Asian survivors also provided the same message. Saanika Kodial (14) of Mumbai, who survived online sexual abuse, is now campaigning with the Brave Movement. “Survivors are made to feel guilty and ashamed. Speaking their words does not make them the villain. There will always exist individuals who trust and believe them,” she said.

Childlight is urging governments to enact stronger legislation, faster removal of abuse content and education schemes that equip children and professionals with Internet safety skills. It also praised India for its blanket publication of child sexual exploitation data, which enables it to track trends and construct response mechanisms.

Official data show that police-reported incidents of child sexual exploitation in India rose from 54,359 in 2021 to 64,469 in 2022, while in Pakistan the number roughly doubled from 1,546 to 2,954.

Stanfield outlined that even though the figures are deeply troubling, availability of data can lead to solutions. “The transparency of the data allows governments and law enforcement to target interventions and spur reporting,” he added.

Survivor campaigner Rhiannon-Faye McDonald, groomed online and raped at 13, criticized technology companies for caring little about user safety. “Technology companies have long prioritized profit over safety. For victims, the harm is lifelong. Anybody who thinks it’s ‘just a photo’ should understand that the harm is lasting and deep,” she said.

The report concludes that while child sexual exploitation across South Asia, including Nepal, is rampant, it is not inevitable. Through coordinated regional efforts, stronger governance, and advocacy from survivors, Childlight contends millions of children’s futures can still be protected.

Nepal is set to send a significantly smaller team to 30th UN Climate Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil. The conference will be held from Nov 10 this year. Environment Secretary Rajendra Prasad Mishra told ApEx that negotiations are ongoing to decide the representatives.

The decision comes in line with the Sept 21 Cabinet meeting, led by interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, to curb non-essential overseas travel and limit official delegations. To cut government expenses, the government has capped heads of state or government-led delegations at 10 members and limited other government-sponsored teams to only three members.

The choice also shows Nepal’s political instability following the abrupt political change brought about by the GenZ protests that led to the fall of the KP Oli government. The new government is now tasked with rebuilding scores of government buildings, as well as fixing the infrastructure damaged in recent floods and landslides.

When Nepal first started going to UN climate talks in 1995, it had just two delegates, while the United Kingdom and United States had 19 and 27 respectively. Its delegations expanded incrementally over the years. Sixty-nine delegates attended COP26 in Glasgow and, at COP20 in Lima, the government was reprimanded for sending a ‘jumbo delegation’ on limited resources.

A 2024 ApEx report revealed that Nepal’s delegation missed 68 out of the 392 sessions at COP29 because of overworked negotiators. Organizational shortcomings aside, Nepal has used the COPs to lead mountains and climate justice causes. At COP29 in Baku, Nepal sent its high-level team led by President Ramchandra Paudel, where Nepal emphasized mobilizing climate finance, protecting mountain habitats, and triggering the Loss and Damage Fund.

The delegation also pushed for an annual financing target of $1.3trn for developing countries, gave highest priority to mountain‑specific risk exposures, and made appeals for finance for adaptation and technology transfer. President Paudel called for the reallocation of military expenditures to climate efforts, made calls for grants‑based climate finance and the polluter‑pays principle, and asserted that saving the Himalayas is saving the planet.

Nepal also organized a ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad’ dialogue on mountain resilience in May this year.

Analysts note that although the agendas of Nepal have become more expansive, its bargaining power has not increased. The new ‘small’ negotiation team may therefore push the government to concentrate on core issues such as climate finance, adaptation and mountain conservation and eliminate ceremonial or non‑technical members.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s hosting of COP30 in the city of Belém in the Amazon region has created an accommodation crisis. Reuters reports that Belém hotel rates have risen between $150 and $4,400 a night, and some developing nations could not secure a room.

Latvia climate minister Kaspars Melnis said that the expense is prohibitive and that his nation is considering whether to attend via video link. Lithuania has even talked about boycotting the summit on the same grounds, and the Alliance of Small Island States is concerned that reducing delegations will result in priceless expertise being lost.

African delegates have told Reuters that they have been quoted $700 a night, a far higher sum than the UN daily allowance. In response, the UN International Civil Service Commission has increased the subsistence daily allowance for 144 developing countries from $144 to $197. Brazil has offered restricted available rooms up to $220 a day for developing countries, but with only approximately 18,000 hotel beds for an estimated 45,000 participants, demand outstrips supply.

The cost crisis provoked a wider backlash. During an emergency session in July, the UN climate office listened to complaints from the African group and others. The group chairperson, Richard Muyungi, told Reuters that poor nations cannot cut delegations and make themselves heard. Nevertheless, some wealthier EU states, like the Netherlands and Poland, have said that they might halve or drastically reduce their delegations, with Polish officials warning that they might cut the delegation to the bone or stay away altogether.

With Nepal looking at its COP30 participation, it must juggle local austerity, global cost pressures and the imperative of good representation. An experienced-officer austerity-cut delegation aligns with former Environment Secretary Deepak Kumar Kharal’s proposal of a full-time negotiation team but risks Nepal’s voice in a platform where the more, the merrier is the motto.

Large rates of accommodation in Belém and Nepal’s internal budget crisis also put additional constraints. The ability of the interim government to balance these competing pressures will make or break Nepal’s climate diplomacy and its ability to attract financial and technical aid for its poor hill communities.

Less than a month after the formation of the new government, the private sector has hailed five major initiatives announced by the Ministry of Finance as crucial steps toward fostering greater transparency, economic reform, and business optimism. Presidents of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Nepalese Industries and Nepal Chamber of Commerce praised the government’s recent moves to push businesses ahead and re-boost private sector morale during a meeting with Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal on Monday.

The five big initiatives of the government are tax relief for reconstruction, initiation of banking facilities to ease financial access to reconstruction and trade activities, and streamlining of insurance procedures. Likewise, abolishing the system of reference values at customs, long desired by the traders, and introducing an online customs database system were hailed as great reforms to make the system transparent and accountable. The new digital platform, according to the Ministry of Finance, will monitor the prices of cleared goods, facilitating analysis and comparison of customs statistics and preventing irregularities.

Finance Minister Khanal indicated that the government was gradually involved in strengthening the morale of the private sector and establishing an environment conducive to business. FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal, CNI President Birendra Raj Pandey, and NCC President Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal expressed gratitude for the reforms and urged the entrepreneurs to utilize the new database system appropriately. The system, launched by Minister Khanal on Sept 25, is going to refresh its reference catalog every six months and clear the grievances of traders through regular updates.

Private sector representatives also presented strong criticisms against acts of vandalism, looting, and arson in recent times in the youth-led GenZ movement, which allegedly were directed toward the business community. They added that infiltration in the movement had led to targeting of private companies, highly discouraging an industry that has a contribution of 81 percent to Nepal’s economy and 86 percent to national employment. They called on the government to act swiftly and prosecute the perpetrators in the courts, warning that doing nothing would further discourage businesspeople.

Minister Khanal assured the delegation that the government was firm in defending the private sector and respecting the rule of law. The entrepreneurs, once again espousing their policy of “zero tolerance toward corruption,” invited the government to create space for entrepreneurs to operate freely and responsibly. They also noted that even if holding elections is critical for the government in the short run, it cannot afford to let go of the opportunity to establish pillars for sustainable economic reforms.

Moreover, the private sector leaders suggested calling for a multilateral finance conference to be led by them in order to draw in investment and instill confidence among all actors. They also confirmed willingness to collaborate with the government on the conduct of timely elections, averring that democracy and an open market system can only thrive through regular electoral processes.

The death toll in landslides and floods due to incessant rain since Friday has reached 52, according to Nepal Police. The data collected till Sunday show that most of the deaths occurred in Koshi Province (eastern Nepal), particularly in Ilam district where 37 people lost their lives. Two deaths each were reported in Udayapur and Khotang and eight in Panchthar districts.

Apart from that, three people died in flooding in Rautahat.

Rescue and relief operations are continuing in the affected areas, authorities added while cautioning the public about further landslides and flooding. 

A section of the trekking route between Namche and Jorsalle in the Sagarmatha region has also been damaged by a landslide. The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has urged trekkers to exercise caution and use an alternative route while traveling in the affected area. According to TAAN, the main trail has been blocked, and trekkers are advised to take the alternative mule route located about 200 to 300 meters above the main path.

The association has also called on all trekking agencies, guides and trekkers to prioritize safety and make necessary preparations before continuing their journey.

Meanwhile, rescue efforts were underway on Sunday to clear access to campsites on Tibet’s eastern slope of Sagarmatha, where nearly 1,000 people have been trapped by a blizzard that has blocked roads, according to Chinese state media reports. Hundreds of local villages and rescue teams have been deployed to help remove snow blocking access to the area, which sits at an altitude above 4,900 meters, according to a report in Jimu News.

Some tourists on the mountain have already been brought down the mountain, it added. The snowfall began on Friday evening and continued throughout Saturday, according to notices on the official WeChat accounts of the local Tingri County Tourism Company, which said ticket sales and entry to the Everest Scenic Area were suspended from late Saturday.

The Saptakoshi river, which has claimed the lives of hundreds of individuals with deadly floods in Bihar state in eastern India almost every year, is flowing above the danger level. All the 56 sluice gates of the Koshi barrage have been opened to discharge water as against about 10 to 12 in a normal situation, and vehicle movement on the bridge was banned by the authorities.

Meanwhile, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) has warned that river basins in Udayapur, Saptari, and Sunsari are at high risk of flooding. Residents in these areas have been urged to exercise extreme caution, and on Saturday, the DHM sent 5m flood alert SMS messages to the public. In coordination with Nepal Telecom and Ncell, the messages were disseminated to ensure that people living in flood-prone areas remain alert and prepared.

Hundreds of people die every year in wet-season landslides and flash floods that sweep through Nepal, typically from mid-June to mid-September. Weather officials had forecasted rains were to pound the country through Monday and officials said they were taking “maximum care and precautions” while helping victims of the tragedy.

322mm rainfall in Ilam

Ilam, the district worst affected by landslides and human casualties, recorded 322 millimeters of rainfall in the past 24 hours, according to the DHM. All weather stations in Ilam reported more than 200mm of rain, with Kanyam and Mai Pokhari receiving 276mm, categorized as extremely heavy rainfall.

Other districts also recorded significant precipitation in the same period—Morang (233mm), Sunsari (205mm), Dhankuta (166mm), Dhanusha (192mm), Sindhuli (205mm), Saptari (180mm), Rautahat (205mm), and Makwanpur (224mm). The highest rainfall was recorded at Maheshpur in Rautahat, with 358mm between Saturday morning and Sunday morning.

Rautahat recorded the heaviest rainfall among the observation stations across Madhes, Koshi and Bagmati provinces. Stations measuring over 300mm of rain include Himali Gaun (332.6mm) and Kanyam Tea Estate (314.2mm) in Ilam, and Mudali (328.6mm) and Gaur (315.0mm) in Parsa district.

Between 4:30 am Saturday and 4:30 am Sunday, rainfall data were collected from 295 monitoring stations (79 manual and 216 automatic). Of these, 186 stations recorded rainfall, with 105 measuring above 50mm, 68 above 100mm, 21 above 200mm, and five recording over 300mm.

As per standards, heavy rainfall refers to 50–100mm in 24 hours, very heavy rainfall is 100–200mm, and extremely heavy rainfall is more than 200mm in 24 hours.

Meanwhile, water levels in Bagmati, Trishuli, Eastern Rapti, Lalbakaiya and Kamala rivers have crossed alert levels but are now gradually receding. On Sunday, the Saptakoshi river also crossed the danger level, along with its tributaries, Tamor, Sunkoshi, and Arun, though the water level is now going down.

Rivers originating from the Chure and Mahabharat ranges, including Kankai, Budhi Khola, Lohandra, Kheshliya, and Biring, also surpassed danger levels but are now showing a decreasing trend, the DHM said. It added that although the low-pressure weather system causing the rainfall has now moved out of Nepal and the monsoon is weakening, it has not yet withdrawn. Authorities continue to closely monitor weather patterns and potential flood risks across the country.

Generation of 105 MW halted

Heavy rainfall has caused floods and landslides, forcing the shutdown of 13 hydropower projects with a total capacity of 105 megawatts, all located in Ilam district.

The Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN) reported that most hydropower projects in Ilam have been damaged by floods and landslides. Preliminary data collected by IPPAN shows that 13 operational projects producing 105.4 MW are currently offline. Additionally, five under-construction projects totaling 93 MW have also sustained damage.

The fully affected operational projects include Maikhola, Maikhola Cascade, Super Mai, Super Mai A and its Cascade, Jogmaikhola and its Cascade, Lower Jogmai, Maibeni, Upper Maikhola, and Mai C Cascade. According to IPPAN, the floods damaged key infrastructure, including intakes, powerhouses, substations, headworks, and transmission lines of these projects.

Among the under-construction projects, Sabakhola B and Hevakhola in Panchthar have been damaged. In addition, Siddhikhola in Ilam and Brahmayani and Upper Brahmayani in Sindhupalchok have also suffered flood-related damage. IPPAN noted that the headworks, access roads, powerhouses, and construction materials of these projects were affected by the floods.

Floods have also damaged 1,500 meters of river embankments in various locations, causing preliminary estimated losses of around Rs 100m.

According to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, the Kankai river breached approximately 200 meters of the lower right bank embankment along the Postal Highway in Gauriganj-2, Jhapa. The Mechi river damaged several spurs, resulting in losses of around Rs 5m.

The Keshaliya river (Budhi Khola) flooded settlements in Biratnagar Metropolitan City-6 and 12, displacing 75 households. Along the eastern bank of the Kamala river in Siraha’s Pateruwa, floodwaters damaged the embankment, causing estimated losses of Rs 2.5m.

The Lalbakaiya river washed away about 60 meters of embankment on the right bank in Maualapur Municipality-1, Maryadpur, damaging approximately 100 hectares of paddy fields. In Baudimai, about 120 meters of embankment was destroyed, inundating 200 hectares of paddy fields and around 200 homes and livestock shelters, with estimated damages of Rs 6m.

In Mahottari, the Rato river caused damage in Balwa Municipality-2, 10, and 11, washing away a total of 390 meters of embankments in Banchauri, Leuri, Bhalni, and Bhagwatipur. Additional breaches include 400 meters in Loharpatti, 20 meters in Rattbara (Mahottari Rural Municipality-6), and 80 meters in Bakhari and Khaira of Jaleshwar Municipality-1, 4, and 7, bringing the total embankment breach to 890 meters.

The district headquarters, Jaleshwar, was also affected by flooding. The ministry estimates the total damage in Mahottari at around Rs 80m.

BP highway destroyed again

Floodwaters from the Roshi river have swept away the diversion road along the Chaukidanda–Nepalthok section of the BP Highway, severely affecting transportation in the region. Around 4.5 kilometers of the diversion road have been destroyed. The diversion had been constructed after last year’s floods damaged the highway, but this year’s heavy flooding has washed away most of it again.

Between Chaukidanda and Barkhekhola in Kavre, floods have washed away diversions at 16 locations, covering about 3.5 kilometers of the road. Similarly, three sections of diversion between Barkhekhola and Nepalthok in Sindhuli have also been destroyed. The flood level in the Roshi River remains high, making it difficult to inspect the damaged areas. It appears that most of the diversions built after last year’s flood have been washed away again. Around 800 meters of diversion may have been lost on Sunday alone.

Reconstruction work has not yet started due to the high water level. The government plans to reopen the road within 72 hours, but the work cannot begin until the floodwaters recede. Equipment from both the government and contractors is already on-site and will be mobilized to reopen the BP Highway as soon as possible. 

The government had spent a significant amount on repairs after last year’s floods damaged the BP Highway. The Bhaktapur Division Road Office constructed the diversion using its own machinery and resources rather than contracting it out. Reconstruction of the BP Highway in Kavre has been divided into four sections, but only two have been contracted so far. The Bhakundebesi–Charsebesi section has been awarded to Lama–Navkantipur JV, and the Charsebesi–Dalabesi section to Khani–Kamaljit–Ewan Construction Service. Japan has pledged to support the reconstruction of one remaining section, while another section is still awaiting contract approval. In Sindhuli, the Barkhekhola–Nepalthok section was awarded to Kharidhunga–Ghising–Kshitiz JV, but no substantial reconstruction has yet begun.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall across eastern Nepal has caused widespread damage to several road sections. According to the Federal Road Supervision and Monitoring Office (FRSMO), Damak, Jhapa, multiple roads have been blocked due to landslides, road subsidence, and damaged bridges and culverts. The Harkapur–Okhaldhunga–Solu and Halesi–Diktel–Chakhewa roads have suffered minor landslides but remain open, with continuous clearing work underway. The Mirchaiya–Katari–Ghurmi (64 km) and Gaighat–Diktel (37–45 km) roads are completely blocked, though efforts are ongoing to reopen them within a day. The Dharan–Bhedetar road is obstructed by a landslide near Nisane Khola, with clearing work expected to be completed within two hours.

On the Bhedetar–Mulghat and Pakhribas–Leguwa roads, multiple landslides have reduced traffic to one lane in several areas. Roads in Ilam and Panchthar districts have been heavily damaged, particularly the Fikkal–Godak, Godak–Maikhola, and Nepaltar–Phidim sections, where floodwaters have swept away embankments, bridges, and culverts. The Mechi Corridor has also suffered extensive damage, with bridges collapsing in Lalikharka, Puwakhola, and other areas, completely halting transportation as damage assessments continue. Along the Tamor Corridor, floodwaters have washed away sections of the road up to Subang Khola from Mulghat, with traffic expected to remain suspended for at least two days. Heavy equipment has been deployed to reopen these routes.

While some sections may reopen soon, officials say it could take several more days to restore full transportation, particularly along the Ilam–Panchthar and Mechi Corridor roads, where the damage is severe.

India offers support

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the losses caused by heavy rainfall. Through social media, Modi described the damage to life and property as distressing and reaffirmed that the Indian government is committed to providing any necessary assistance. “As a friendly neighbor and first responder, India is committed to providing any required support,” Modi said, adding, “We stand with the people and government of Nepal during this difficult time.”

Meanwhile, Kamalram Joshi, director-general of the DHM, has credited advance warnings, coordinated understanding, and a one-door system approach for successfully managing recent weather-related disasters in Nepal. Speaking to News Agency Nepal, Joshi said that although the country faced floods and landslides near the end of this year’s monsoon, the loss of life and property was lower than in previous years.

“This year, we had to deal with hydrometeorological disasters at the end of the monsoon,” he said. “Thanks to the DHM’s forecasts, uniform understanding of warnings and coordinated implementation through a one-door system, the impact on people and property is estimated to be less than in past events.”

Joshi added that while complete data is still being collected, overall, the country was successful in responding to the disaster. 

Additionally, Speaker of the House Devraj Ghimire expressed gratitude to the government for its role during the disaster. In a message released on Sunday, he said he was deeply saddened by the widespread loss of life and property caused by floods and landslides. He extended sympathy to affected citizens and praised the government’s response.

Speaker Ghimire stated, “I would like to thank all security agencies, health workers, technical teams, and volunteers deployed for rescue and rehabilitation on behalf of the government, and draw attention to the relief efforts for the victims.” He added that disasters can only be overcome if everyone moves forward together and appealed to all citizens to fully support security agencies and local administrations involved in relief and rescue operations.

Weather system exits

The seasonal weather system responsible for three days of continuous rains has moved out of Nepal and is now active near Sikkim and Bhutan, according to experts. Residual showers in some areas of the Koshi basin are expected to cease soon, says meteorologist Ujjwal Upadhyay. “However, the flow of the Koshi remains high, so caution is advised for lower riverbank areas until the evening. Current analyses indicate that no moderate or heavy rainfall is expected in the near future. The monsoon is likely to fully withdraw within the next week, ensuring that this year’s Tihar festival can be celebrated without weather disruptions,” he says.

Although transportation on highways outside the Koshi region can resume, landslide risks remain. In Kathmandu and surrounding regions, daily life returned to normal, and smaller rivers and streams no longer pose a risk.

Work afoot to reopen BP Highway asap: Minister Ghising

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Efforts are on to reopen the BP Highway, which has remained blocked due to incessant rains, as soon as possible, the government has stated. Minister for Energy, Water Resources, Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, informed that efforts are underway to reopen the Bhakundebesi–Nepalthok section of the BP Highway within three to four days.

Speaking at a press meet, Minister Ghising said that the construction of diversions and removal of obstructions has already started on the BP Highway and the Mechi Highway. “The repair of the damaged sections, especially the Bhakundebesi–Nepalthok section, has already begun. We are sending necessary equipment to resume vehicular movement as early as possible, hopefully within three or four days,” he added, urging members of the public to use alternative routes in the meantime.

Recent landslides and flooding due to incessant rains have led to widespread damage to roads across the country, disrupting transport in most areas. The ministry clarified that equipment, human resources and resources needed for repair and reopening of broken-down roads have been mobilized, with top priority given to sections of highways blocked.

Round-the-clock repairs are afoot to reopen the major highways, such as the Prithvi Highway, the ministry said. The ministry also informed that it was acting in coordination with District Administration Offices, Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Traffic Police and local governments to restore road linkages across the country.

For latest road updates, the Department of Roads has asked the public to visit its official website or contact its call center on 9851416893.

Condoling the deaths of people in the recent disasters, the ministry expressed sympathy to the victims and bereaved families and asked the people to remain patient and alert at this time. Minister Ghising stated that the government's timely preparedness had helped in minimizing human losses. 

He also informed that in some areas, misinformation and lack of care had led to disasters. Referring to the Langtang disaster, where four trekkers have gone missing, the minister said that some individuals may have ignored advice and believed astrological predictions that downplayed the danger. “In spite of repeated warnings to keep away from riverbanks and risky areas, some did not budge,” Minister Ghising said. “In a few cases, we had to forcibly relocate them to prevent the loss of lives. A few casualties were prevented because of such interventions.”

He further explained that while rainfall is continuing in the eastern region, the weather is expected to improve by tomorrow, and the government is focusing on rapid road restoration and rehabilitation works.

President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to four newly-appointed ministers on Monday, further expanding the interim cabinet led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki.

Those sworn in at a ceremony held at the President’s Office, Sheetal Niwas, were former Supreme Court Justice Anil Kumar Sinha, National Innovation Center founder Mahabir Pun, journalist Jagadish Kharel, and agriculture scientist Madan Pariyar.

According to the allocation of responsibilities, Sinha has been assigned the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation. Pun has been given the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Kharel will head the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology, while Pariyar has taken charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

This is the second expansion of the cabinet since Karki assumed office as interim prime minister on Sept 12 following the GenZ movement. With the new appointments, the size of the council of ministers has reached eight.

Earlier, the prime minister had inducted Kulman Ghising, Om Prakash Aryal, and Rameshore Khanal as ministers. Following Monday’s reshuffle, Khanal has been given the additional responsibility of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration alongside the Ministry of Finance. Aryal has been relieved of the law portfolio and will now look only after the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Despite these additions, Prime Minister Karki continues to retain nine ministries under her direct control. These include the ministries of Foreign Affairs; Defense; Health and Population; Women, Children and Senior Citizens; Labor, Employment and Social Security; Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation; Forests and Environment; Urban Development; and Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by senior officials including Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire, National Assembly Chair Narayan Prasad Dahal and Prime Minister Karki. This is the first time Speaker Ghimire gave his attendance in an official forum after the recent political shuffle.

After assuming office, the newly-appointed ministers outlined their priorities. Education Minister Pun said his immediate focus would be on strengthening science, technology and innovation. He cautioned against the tendency to form unnecessary committees, stressing that resources should be directed to practical programs with measurable outcomes.

Pun assumed office in Keshar Mahal. Following the arson during the GenZ movement that damaged the Ministry of Education inside Singhadurbar, the new education minister’s office was prepared at Keshar Mahal. 

Speaking to journalists, Pun said he would not speak much immediately as his appointment was sudden. “If I were Shiva or God, I would have said I’ll do this and that using my third eye. But suddenly, I’ve been brought here as a minister. I don’t want any perks or facilities. I’ll stay here in the ministry with just a bed,” he said. In a lighthearted tone, he added, “The ministry must have a kitchen. I’ll cook and eat here and sleep here as well.”

Pun stressed that he would quickly implement good suggestions received during his tenure. He said his top priority would be science, technology and innovation, in line with the ministry’s mandate. While education is also linked to his portfolio, he said he would not immediately speak about reforms and changes in education. He noted that he never wanted to become a minister, but circumstances brought him here.

The new minister emphasized that merely forming committees would not be enough; rather, concrete actions must be taken. Before signing his first decision upon assuming office, Pun made this point clear. Ministry officials had requested him to sign a decision to form a new committee of think tanks. Officials explained that based on the opinions and suggestions of experts in the field of science and technology, the ministry had decided to form a committee to guide future policies and programs, identifying four key areas to begin with.

However, Pun objected, saying forming committees alone would not suffice without securing financial resources. He pointed out that issues often remain stuck in ministries for want of funding. “Committees are always formed, but nothing progresses. The real issue is resources. We must first secure financial sources. Things have stalled simply because there’s no money. We need to identify where funds can come from,” Pun said.

Pun announced that a team of experts would be formed to work on the Education Act. Asked what the Act would look like, he admitted, “I don’t know yet. I’ll form a team of experts, and based on their advice, I’ll move forward.” Since parliament has already been dissolved, rendering all parliamentary committees inactive, he appealed to experts to provide honest recommendations.

Asked about people calling him the “scrap minister,” Pun requested not to be addressed as a minister outside the ministry premises. He also said he would engage young people between the ages of 16 and 30 in his work. On the issues of ending corruption and ensuring good governance raised by the GenZ generation, he stated that his ministry would also pay close attention.

Information Minister Kharel announced that his ministry would launch a campaign to expand free internet services in public spaces across 10 major cities within the next five months. He said the initiative would improve digital access for citizens, particularly students and professionals who rely on public connectivity.

Kharel refused to sign the first decision prepared by ministry staff, instead asking them to bring a different one. Later, his first decision was to provide free internet service in public places across 10 major cities within five months. At his swearing-in and subsequent press conference, Kharel vowed to deliver visible results “with dust and ashes still in hand,” expressing his wish to trust Nepal’s bureaucracy and pledging non-interference in their work.

Industry Minister Sinha, who appeared visibly emotional during his remarks, recalled those who lost their lives in the recent GenZ protests. He pledged that the sacrifices of the youth would not be forgotten and said his ministry would prioritize reforms aimed at promoting justice and transparency. He signed his first decision to provide employment opportunities for families of martyrs and the injured from the protests, as well as to prioritize domestic products in government procurements.

Agriculture Minister Pariyar emphasized the importance of modernizing agriculture and strengthening farmers’ livelihoods. He said his ministry would work to ensure food security, boost productivity and promote sustainable practices in the sector. He approved the formation of a coordination committee to implement Nepal-Korea cooperation on potato and rice crop research. 

Addressing journalists, Pariyar pledged to work differently in the agriculture sector, prioritizing elections while also tackling governance issues and corruption. Experts stress that Nepal’s agriculture is in crisis, with multidimensional problems such as land ownership, access to quality seeds and fertilizer, irrigation, climate change, global trade policies, and weak infrastructure. They argue that long-term systemic solutions are needed to build resilient and inclusive agricultural systems. Pariyar now faces the challenge of addressing farmers’ dissatisfaction, resource limitations and market management issues during his tenure.

The expansion of the cabinet comes at a time when the Karki-led interim government is under pressure to respond to the demands raised during the GenZ movement, which called for accountability, reforms and better governance. The appointment of professionals and experts from outside traditional party politics has been seen as a response to public sentiment.

The third day of GenZ movement was quiet as the Nepali Army guarded the streets across the country on Wednesday and ordered people to stay at home as they moved to restore order after tens of thousands of protesters stormed and set fire to government buildings. As of Wednesday, at least 30 people have died during the protest.

The Army has also started meeting with various groups in search of a leader of an interim government. However, Gen Z representatives, who went to the Army headquarters to present their demands, appear divided. Some asked for former chief justice Sushila Karki to lead the interim government while others suggested the names of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah and Dharan Submetropolitan City Mayor Harka Sampang. There were also those who asked to seek the path within the framework of the 2015 Constitution.

According to sources, one faction argued that federalism and secularism should be scrapped and the monarchy restored. The other insisted the movement was not against the republican system itself but against the way political leaders were handling governance.

Rakshya Bam, one of the participants who walked out of the meeting, said she and some colleagues left after discussions began moving “against the core spirit of the movement.” After the Chief of the Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel suggested that we meet the President Ramchandra Paudel along with Durga Prasai and the Rastriya Swatantra Party group, calling them stakeholders, we rejected the proposal, she wrote on Facebook. “Accepting it would undermine the sacrifices made and the transformative journey of the Gen Z movement. Therefore, we walked out of the Nepali Army headquarters and are now preparing to hold discussions with the protesting GenZ groups.”

When the group of over 15 GenZ representatives arrived on Wednesday, Army Chief Sigdel initially asked them to first reach a consensus among themselves, suggesting they appoint a coordinator before engaging in talks. The group then held an internal discussion inside a hall at the headquarters, where clear divisions emerged.

On Tuesday, Kathmandu Mayor Shah urged GenZ to be ready to negotiate with the Army only if the parliament is dissolved first. “Now it is your generation’s turn to lead the country,” he said. Following this, the President’s Office issued a statement calling on Gen Z groups to join talks.

Multiple groups have since contacted both the President’s Office and the Army, each claiming to represent GenZ. This has added to the confusion within the Gen Z movement participants. 

The Army asked the Gen Z representatives to come up with a common decision and get in touch on Thursday morning. Army officials outside the headquarters made the announcement via loudspeaker after GenZ protesters shouted slogans against the leadership proposal. “Please provide us tomorrow morning with the names and contact numbers of your group leaders, clearly stating who they are and how many,” an Army representative said. “Submit the list with one leader’s name from each group.”

Dharan Mayor Sampang and Prasai also reached the Nepali Army headquarters for discussion. Prasai met with Army Chief Sigdel, where they held discussions about the country’s current situation and the way forward. “After this long discussion, my conclusion is clear—I have no desire for leadership,” Prasai said. “My priority is whatever solution works for the country.” He added that respecting the voice of the GenZ, he would accept the leadership of either Shah or Karki.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma have urged all sides to ensure that efforts to form a new political structure do not lead to a prolonged constitutional vacuum or instability.

Issuing a joint statement, they said: “We appeal for the conclusion of the current initiative in line with the aspirations of the GenZ generation. While invoking the ‘doctrine of necessity,’ we remind everyone that decisions must and can be advanced through constitutional and legal means.”

They cautioned that lawlessness would invite further chaos: “We urge the President and the GenZ side that while building a new political structure to run the country and hold elections, every possible legal measure should be adopted to prevent a long constitutional void. The roadmap to end misgovernance must be sought through the Constitution and democratic path. We will support this approach.”

The leaders added: “To reverse the progress we have made in terms of representation, justice, and inclusion would invite another cycle of protests and revolts. Just as sovereign citizens sacrificed their lives in past movements to secure today’s achievements, we must ensure those gains are not overturned. Our efforts will now focus on ensuring the country does not move backward from the 2015 Constitution. We firmly believe that change must always carry forward progress.”

Acknowledging the causes of the current crisis, they said individuals and parties who came to power after the establishment of the federal democratic republic failed to meet public expectations, allowing corruption and misrule to flourish. “We admit our attempts to hold those in power accountable were incomplete, that we could not intervene effectively, and that we failed to understand the rhythm and aspirations of the new generation on time. But in this changed context, we commit to rebuilding the Nepali Congress from the roots up, in line with the hopes and expectations of the youth,” the statement added.

The CPN-UML leadership has also issued a statement. Calling the incidents a major setback for the nation, UML stressed that the destructive acts contradicted the protest organizers’ earlier commitment to peaceful demonstrations. The party demanded clarity on “who orchestrated and executed such destructive incidents” and called for a review of the security agencies’ role.

General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali stated that the political way forward after KP Sharma Oli’s resignation must be sought through constitutional and democratic means. It urged President Ramchandra Paudel to initiate meaningful dialogue to address the demands of the youth, including good governance, efficient public services, and accelerated development.