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The price of gold has dropped by Rs 800 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 193, 600 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 194, 400 per tola on Wednesday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 2, 270 per tola today.

In the fiscal year 2024-25, the government successfully raised 100 percent of its targeted domestic debt but managed to mobilize only about 57.79 percent of the planned external debt, according to the Public Debt Management Office’s report up to mid-July. The government had set a target of Rs 330bn for domestic borrowing, which was fully achieved. However, out of Rs 217bn targeted for external borrowing, only Rs 125.39bn was raised, falling short by approximately Rs 9.16bn.

Gopikrishna Koirala, head of the Public Debt Management Office, explained that lower capital expenditure and delayed completion of development projects prevented full utilization of external debt. He said the government initially spends from its own resources on annual projects and later seeks reimbursement from lenders, but delays in project completion blocked such reimbursements and external borrowing.

External debt generally carries lower interest rates and longer repayment periods compared to domestic debt, which is often used for operational expenses. Moreover, lenders impose stricter conditions on external loans, requiring them to be focused on capital investment, making external borrowing more effective.

The government’s total public debt mobilization target was Rs 547bn, but only Rs 455.39bn (83.25 percent) was realized during the fiscal year. The total government debt increased by Rs 231.8bn to
Rs 2,669.57bn, equivalent to 43.71 percent of GDP. Of this, external debt accounted for 52.49 percent and domestic debt 47.51 percent.

Outstanding repayments stand at Rs 1,263.45bn for domestic debt and Rs 1,401.35bn for external debt, representing 22.14 percent and 24.56 percent of GDP, respectively. Interest payments on government debt exceeded Rs 400bn during the fiscal year. Rs 362.59bn had been paid by mid-July, reaching 90.01 percent of the annual budget allocation for debt servicing. Interest payment accounts for 5.94 percent of GDP. Specifically, Rs 304.19bn was spent on interest for domestic debt and
Rs 58.40bn for external debt. 

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 52. 87 points to close at 2, 949. 19 points on Wednesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 11. 24 points to close at 507. 35 points.

A total of 36,417,742-unit shares of 327 companies were traded for Rs 16. 44 billion.

Meanwhile, Sanvi Energy Limited (SANVI) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Green Development Bank Ltd. (GRDBL) was the top loser as its price fell by 8. 04 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 3. 32 trillion.

In Karnali Province, fatal accidents continue to claim lives as residents are forced to cross rivers using tuins—makeshift cable crossings—due to the absence of proper bridges. Despite repeated tragedies, progress on building safe infrastructure remains slow, putting lives at daily risk.

On 7 Oct 2023, Makar Singh Nepali (38) of Soru Rural Municipality-5, Mugu, died while crossing the Karnali River via a tuin in Sarkegad Rural Municipality, Humla. The cable snapped, sending him plunging into the river. His body was recovered a month later.

Just a day later, on Oct 8, Tula Bohara (55) of Mudkechula Rural Municipality, Dolpa, fell into the Jagadulla River while trying to cross in a canoe—her only option after a bridge was destroyed by floods in 2019. She did not survive.

Another tragedy occurred when Bhuwame Khadka of Junichande Rural Municipality-4, Jajarkot, died after falling from a canoe while crossing the Chhedagarh River. In a similar incident a few years ago, Harisingh Khadka and Bir Bahadur Khadka were seriously injured.

These incidents represent only a small fraction of the accidents occurring across the province. Locals report that injuries, disappearances, and deaths due to unsafe crossings have become tragically routine. Yet, there is no comprehensive record of tuin-related fatalities. The Karnali Provincial Police Office in Surkhet has documented just three deaths and two injuries from tuin incidents since 2018, although locals insist the actual numbers are much higher. “What was meant to be a lifeline has become a symbol of fear and death,” said a resident of Humla.

In Sarkegad and similar areas, both residents and elected officials risk their lives daily crossing rivers on tuins. “There is no bridge here,” said local resident Aiti Phadera. “We cross the Karnali with our eyes closed, praying to our ancestral gods.” From transporting food and firewood to taking the sick for treatment, tuins are still widely used. Children also risk their lives every day on their way to school.

Preliminary data from the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Urban Development shows that 55 tuin systems remain active in eight of Karnali’s ten districts. Humla has the highest number (15), followed by Kalikot (12), Jajarkot (12), and Surkhet (eight). Only Rukum Paschim and Jumla have no active tuins. Officials said the data was gathered through public notices and will be verified through on-site surveys.

To address the crisis, the Karnali Province Planning Commission has pledged to construct 496 suspension bridges within five years, increasing the total number from 1,304 to 1,800 by the end of the fiscal year 2025/26. This goal is part of the province’s second five-year development plan.

However, locals and social activists say progress has been slow and uneven. “Some tuins are tied to trees with frayed ropes—disaster can strike at any moment,” said local activist Bindulal Regmi. In some places, people are even charged to cross: Rs 1,000 for motorcycles and Rs 100 per person—an added burden for those already struggling.

Devaki Timalsina, Vice-chairperson of Sarkegad Rural Municipality, emphasized the need for coordinated action. “Our people are dying. This cannot go on,” she said. “The local, provincial, and federal governments must come together to build the bridges Karnali urgently needs.”

Though the region is now connected to the national road network, many remote communities still lack basic infrastructure like bridges. Until that changes, people will continue to cross rivers with prayer on their lips—and fear in their hearts.