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Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the general public to refrain from non-essential travel and stay in safe areas.

His appeal comes amidst the Weather Forecasting Division’s prediction of heavy and widespread rainfall across the country while directing the security personnel to remain on alert.

He also urged the concerned authorities of the federal, provincial and local governments to remain active in minimizing the damage caused by potential disasters including floods, landslides and inundation.

Taking to social media, Prime Minister Oli said, “The Meteorological Forecasting Division has predicted heavy rain in various parts of the country this afternoon. He urged the people to stay informed through updates from the security agencies to take necessary precautions to avoid monsoon-induced disasters. I would like to request all to avoid unnecessary travel and direct the security agencies to remain on alert.”

Earlier, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority had urged the people to be cautious, saying that there is a possibility of heavy rainfall in various parts of the country from July 19-21.  

At least 32 Palestinians seeking food have been killed by Israeli gunfire near two aid distribution points close to Khan Younis and Rafah in southern Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, BBC reported.

Dozens were also injured near the two sites run by the controversial US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), it said.

The GHF said there were no incidents "at or near" their sites, but that there had been "Israel Defense Forces (IDF) activity" hours before their sites were due to open, according to BBC.

One eyewitness told the Reuters news agency that the Israeli gunfire seemed "targeted to kill".

Ukraine has proposed a new round of peace talks with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, in a move aimed at restarting negotiations that halted last month, BBC reported.

Senior security official Rustem Umerov has offered to meet the Russian side next week, Zelensky said in his evening address, adding that everything had to be done to get a ceasefire.

Zelenksy also repeated his readiness to meet Russia's Vladimir Putin face-to-face. "A meeting at the leadership level is needed to truly ensure peace," he said.

The proposal came hours after Ukraine was hit with another widespread air bombardment by Russia, which killed three people, according to BBC.

Sectarian clashes have continued in southern Syria despite an "immediate ceasefire" announced by the country's president, BBC reported.

Over the past week fighters from the minority Druze community have been battling armed Bedouins in Suweida Province, with both sides accused of atrocities.

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa deployed troops but the government forces were accused of joining in attacks on the Druze. More than 900 people are reported to have been killed in the violence. 

Israel declared support for the Druze earlier this week and intervened, hitting government forces and the defence ministry in the capital Damascus, according to BBC.