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A powerful storm occurred on March 16 damaged the bananas worth more than Rs 40 million in Chitwan district.

According to Chief of National Agriculture Modernization Programme Implementation Unit, Chitwan, Mahesh Regmi, storm-affected banana farms were monitored on Wednesday and Thursday.  

A total of 20 storm-affected banana farms were monitored. 

The storm caused huge damages in banana cultivation at ward no 7 and 23 of Bharatpur metropolitan city, ward no 5, 12 and 14 of Ratnanagar municipality, ward no 13 of Khairahani municipality and ward no 2 to 5 of Kalika municipality.  

Regmi added that up to 88 percent of bananas were damaged in some farms, adding that overall the storm had caused 43.35 per cent damage to bananas. 

Banana is cultivated in 2,000 hectares in Chitwan.

Similarly, Coordinator of Banana Super Zone, Chitwan, Bishnu Hari said farmers engaged in commercial banana cultivation have been hit hard as they did not get compensation on time.

He mentioned that the farmers have not yet received last year's compensation and they are still unknown when they would get the compensation.

Coordinator Bishnu Hari opined that the farmers in the district have submitted applications to insurance companies demanding Rs 40 million as compensation so far.  

It will take time to get accurate data of losses caused by the storm as more applications are being received and some of the farmers have no insurance for banana cultivation, he added.

Seven hundred farmers are involved in commercial banana cultivation in the district.

The Chitwan National Park in Chitwan district recorded a notable surge in tourist arrivals this fiscal year compared to the previous one. 

The number of visitors to the Park and its buffer zone community forest rose by 12,412 in the eight months of the current fiscal year 2025/26 compared to the same period last year.

The Park welcomed 168,695 visitors this year, up from 156,283 during the same period last year.

According to Abhinash Thapa Magar, Information Officer at the Park, among the visitors exploring the Park, the most striking number has come from within the country. 

The Park received 104,096 domestic tourists, a significant rise from 81,246 in the previous year.

Likewise, Information Officer Thapa shared that 9,544 visitors arrived from SAARC countries, while 55,055 tourists came from other countries as of mid-March. 

Last year, the Park had received 14,207 visitors from SAARC countries and 60,830 from other countries. 

While arrivals from SAARC countries and other international destinations showed a slight decline, the overall numbers remained strong, noted Thapa.

Chitwan National Park spanning across 952.63 square km is a sanctuary for 68 species of mammals, 544 species of birds, 56 species of reptiles and amphibians, 126 species of fish. 

Known for its rare and diverse wildlife, the country's first national park continues to captivate visitors. 

Officials said that the Park's major attractions include endangered one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, bear, elephants, gharial crocodiles along with a wide variety of bird species, said officials.

With a surge in the visitors' number, the Park recorded a strong revenue collection, generating over Rs 175 million in revenue in the last eight months with eco-tourism contributing to the lion's share.

Additional income has come from forest products, penalties and other sources.

Just under 100 ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of March, despite periodic attacks on shipping in the area by Iranian forces, BBC reported. 

While some energy and everyday goods are still moving through one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, daily traffic is down about 95% since the Iran war began on 28 February.

Before the war, about 138 ships passed through the strait each day according to the Joint Maritime Information Centre, carrying one fifth of the global oil supply.

The data provided by shipping analysts Kpler shows 99 vessels passing the narrow strait so far this month, an average of just 5-6 vessels a day, according to BBC. 

Prime Minister Sushila Karki today visited and performed worship at the famous religious site Janaki Temple in Janakpurdham.

The PM arrived here by Nepali Army helicopter this morning and performed a special worship at the famous Janaki Temple.

On that occasion, the temple's head priest, Mahant Ramtapeswar Das and his successor Mahant Ramroshan Das welcomed the Prime Minister to the temple and offered her garlands and prasad. 

The temple priests recited hymns of blessings on the occasion.

After the worship, Prime Minister Karki circumambulated the temple, observed it, and gathered necessary information. 

Thereafter, while having a brief conversation with journalists, she said that her visit to Janakpurdham was purely for religious purposes.

PM Karki stated that Janakpurdham is a highly important place in Nepal from a religious and cultural perspective. 

She mentioned that the government is committed to the preservation and promotion of religious and historical heritages across the country, including Janakpurdham.

The Prime Minister stated that the government's goal is to develop Janakpurdham as an international religious tourism destination.

She added that the interim government is focused on good governance, development and stability according to the expectations of the people and expressed commitment to move forward in cooperation with all parties.

Before this, Minister for Home, Communication and Law of Madhesh Province Fakira Mahato along with the Chief Secretary and heads of security agencies of Madhesh Province and districts, and the Chief District Officer of Dhanusha, Prem Prasad Luintel, had welcomed the Prime Minister at the Janakpur Airport.