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Madhesh Province Chief Minister Lalbabu Raut has urged the youth from the province working in South Korea to put in investment in the Madhesh province. Addressing an online interaction on investment possibilities from South Korea in Tarai today, he said there is a huge opportunity for investing in agriculture, tourism, industry and education sector and called on the youth to utilize it. The event was hosted by the Madhesi Samaj South Korea. Chief Minister Raut gave assurances that he would work responsibly towards creating an investment-friendly environment in the Madhesh province. "The goodwill that you demonstrated towards your land is worthy of emulation. I would like to thank you on behalf of the Madhesh government for this. Come back and invest here, we will create that environment. We have expected your cooperation in this connection," he said on the occasion. Chief Minister Raut reiterated that the provincial government has ensured an investment-friendly climate in the province by means of the Industry Act. More than 100 youth from the province currently working and living in South Korea participated in the interaction.  

Ten people are still missing in the floods and landslides in Mahakali Municipality, Darchula. The rainfall since Friday night has taken its toll killing at least five people, and causing a massive property loss in the municipality and Naugadh Rural Municipality. According to the District Police Office, Darchula, five people have so far confirmed dead in the incidents while ten others are missing. The missing people have been identified as Dhansingh Karki, Dipak Karki and Dinesh Karki of Mahakali-3, Saraswoti Luhar and Mohan Luhar of Mahakali-4, Manamati Shah of Mahakali-2, Manju Luhar of Mahakali-1, and Dinesh Luhar, Sajan Luhar and Daljit Luhar of Mahakali-1. Inspector Jagat Gahamagar said that the search efforts for the missing ones were affected as the water level in the river is yet to decrease.  The rescue and relief efforts have gone simultaneously. Now, the temporary shelter arrangements are in place for the survivors. Most of the displaced are taking refuge at relatives' homes, and at the District Coordination Committee hall.  

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Dilendra Prasad Badu has expressed commitment to immediately introduce a relief and rescue package for landslide survivors in Darchula. Minister Badu, who arrived in his home district Darchula inspected the flood and landslide-ravaged areas, pledged to bring relief packages in the first phase. Minister Badu along with province ministers Dr Rana Bahadur Rawal and Man Bahadur Dhami had made on-site inspections of the disaster-hit areas at Mahakali Municipality-4, Bangabagad. After inspection, the team said temporary residence would be arranged first for the survivors before taking them to another process. The team comprising federal ministers and provincial ministers had reached Darchula with relief materials including tents, foodstuffs and blankets for immediate relief. Minister for Internal Affairs Dr Rawal said, "The provincial government is immediately providing Rs 100,000 each to the families of the deceased. Preparation is being made to render relief to the flood and landslide survivors without leaving any stone unturned." At least five people have lost their lives while 10 have gone missing in the landslide. Eight locals have sustained injuries. The flood-fed Lasku rivulet and Mahakali river and landslide occurred at Naugad had caused huge loss to the lives and properties. Minister Badu directed the authorities concerned to carry out all-out efforts to provide relief to the disaster-hit people. Flooding in the Lasku rivulet had caused big loss to the entire family of Dhan Singh Karki- who has been running business at Mahakali Municipality-3, Duduri. Body of his wife Manmati Karki was found so far nearby Mahakali Municipality-5, confirmed Police Inspector at District Police Office, Darchula, Jagat Gahamagar. Dhan Singh and his both sons Deepak and Diensh are still missing. Inspector Gahamagar further stated that 77-year-old Nandaram Bohora of Mahakali Municipality-2 was found dead after being buried in his home. Other family members could manage to escape the incident but the old man could not. Among other deceased identified are Janaki Thagunna, 37, of Naugad Rural Municipality-1, Salla, 13-year-old Dhanuli Thagunna and Mohanram Parki, 68, of ward 2. Likewise, those missing in the landslide are Dhansingh Karki, Deepak Karki, Diensh Karki of Mahakali Municipality-3; Saraswoti Luhar and Mohan Luhar of ward 4; Manmati Shahu of ward 2; Manju Luhar, Dinesh Luhar, Sahan Luhar and Daljeet Luhar of ward 1. The Nepal Army's helicopter and air ambulance had rescued the injured people from Mahakali municipality and Naugad Rural Municipality. The army helicopter had also transported relief materials for the survivors both at the local level. Relief was distributed to the needy people in coordination with the local level and Nepal Red Cross Society. 100 families affected  Floods and landslides have affected around 100 households of two local units in Darchula. According to the District Police Office, Darchula, flood and disaster have completely damaged 42 houses and partially damaged nine houses and put 40 houses at high risk. Police personnel were mobilized to collect the details of loss and damage. As informed, the disaster caused big loss to Mahakali municipality, particularly in its ward 1, 2, 3 and 4. Likewise, the landslide caused damage to the households of ward 1 of Naugad Rural Municipality. "The rivulet saw an increasing water level since 11:00 PM in the night," said Mangal Singh Thagunna, a local. He added that the flood started eroding soil at 1:00 AM next day. The swollen Lasku rivulet had taken away the settlements along the river banks, he shared. The Mahakali river was also swollen with the rise in the water level in Lasku rivulet. The Mahakali River had also entered into an embankment constructed by the Mahakali River Control Project with the increasing water current. Thagunna said the flood-fed river was sweeping away the human settlement. Duhun-Khalanga out of contact  The flood occurred in the Mahakali and Lasku had also disrupted the road connecting Khalanga and Duhun Byas. The road from Ringat Lake to Kalaunbhir along the Darchula-Tingkar road section was obstructed. With the flood taking away the road linking Duhun Rural Municipality and Mahakali river, the people's mobility has become tougher in the areas. The Darchula-Tinker road which was constructed along the Mahakali embankment was completely damaged. The flood and landslide took away motor-able and suspension bridges constructed over Lasku rivulet. Two schools were broken down; equal numbers of schools were partially damaged in the incident. The quarter of Darchula Multiple College at Dungari has been at risk, police informed. The Mahakali river took away nine vehicles. As many as 263 cattle of local farmers in Mahakali municipality and Naugad rural municipality died in the incident.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari today visited the British Embassy in Lainchaur, Kathmandu and put her signature on a condolence book on the demise of Queen Elizabeth II of Britain. During her conversation with UK’s Ambassador to Nepal, Nicola Pollitt, the Head-of-State said with the passing away of Queen Elizabeth II, Nepal lost its good friend and expressed her sincere condolences on the passing away of the longest-serving British monarch.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), the governing body of cricket in Nepal, has suspended the captain of the Nepal national cricket team, Sandeep Lamichhane after he was accused of rape. Lamichhane has been relieved—as per the decision taken by the execution committee of the CAN–of his duty as the cricket team’s captain in a context when the Kathmandu District Court issued an arrest warrant against him in the case, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the CAN Acting Secretary, Prashanta Bikram Malla. A complaint accusing Lamichhane of rape was lodged at the Metropolitan Police Circle, Gaushala, Kathmandu.

Famous Indian yoga guru 'Sadhguru' is arriving in Humla today in connection with paying homage to Kailash Manasarovar, an important shrine for the Hindus and Buddhists, in China. The place has religious and cultural significance. The Sadhguru is arriving here in a chartered helicopter. He will be travelling to Limi Lapcha and he will pay obeisance to Kilash Manasarovar from Lapcha Bhanjyang of Humla, Chief District Officer Sita Pariyar said. China has imposed travel ban to Kilash Manasarovara since the outbreak of COVID-19. CDO Pariyar said the Sadhguru is arriving Humla to pay homage to Kilash Manasarovar from Humla's territory. It is said all preparations have been made in Humla for the Sadhguru sojourn. The Sadhguru will be accompanied by a group of more than 40 people. His team will take a helicopter from Pokhara and directly land in Simkot airport here, according to The Trekker Society, which has taken responsibility for the Sadhguru's travel. #Sadhguru #Humla #Kailash Mansarovar

The government has provided concession on customs tariff on the import of various goods. The Ministry of Finance has informed through a notice in the Nepal Gazettee that the rate of the tax on the import of various goods has been changed. As per the new provision, 90 percent concession is provided on the customs tariff on import of crude soybean oil, palm oil and sunflower oil. Revenue Secretary Rameshwor Dangal said the industries which were given 50 percent concession on the import of sunflower seeds for extracting sunflower oil before this will instead be given 90 percent concession. This new provision also applies to the import of soybean seeds for the production of oil and oilcake from it. Before this, the industries importing soybean seeds for this purpose got 50 percent concession on import of soybean seeds and now they will get 90 percent concession. Similarly, 90 percent concession is provided on customs tariff on the import of mustard, spinach, canola and rapeseed seeds. A 15 percent customs tariff has been imposed on the import of spring steel wire that industries producing optical fibre cable use as raw material. Recommending for the concessions under this section should be made on the basis of the production capacity of the industry and the annual quantity of consumption. The provision of imposition of 15 percent income tax on transactions, except those enjoying tax concessions, carried out within the metropolitan city area and of seven percent within the then municipality area by the cooperatives, has been removed. It is said that as per the new provision, cooperatives operating within the municipality area will get 5 percent concession, those operating within the sub-metropolitan city area will get 7 percent concession and those run within the metropolis area will be given 10 percent concession on income tax. Likewise, arrangements have been made for keeping the customs tariff of wire and iron rod only at 5 percent. However, the excise duty on the import of raw materials of sanitary pad has been removed now.

The Bheri Hospital in Nepalgunj has received a large number of patients with dengue and viral fever of late from Banke and neighboring districts. Information Officer of the hospital, Dr Sanket Kumar Risal, confirmed that the number of patients receiving treatment for dengue and viral fever is on the rise adding that the number of patients with asthma has also increased. “The hospital is full of patients,” Dr Risal said adding that keeping oneself safe from a mosquito bite is to remain away from dengue. He also suggested that destroying the habitat of mosquitoes would be helpful to reduce the number of dengue patients. Likewise, the number of dengue patients has increased gradually in Banke district. So far, 11 patients were reported in the district, focal person District Health Office, Banke, Durga Gautam said. Earlier on Wednesday, two persons died of dengue in Banke district. Of the patients, Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City has the highest number followed by Kohalpur Municipality and Baijanath Rural Municipality. Meanwhile, Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City has launched its steps to destroy the mosquitoes.