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As the March 5 voting date under the House of Representatives (HoR) approaches, the number of passengers leaving the Kathmandu Valley for their respective hometowns has risen significantly. 

According to Traffic Police Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sunil Jung Shah, over 750,000 people have recently departed from the Kathmandu Valley to participate in the elections. He said that the outflow is expected to continue until Wednesday.  

Public vehicles are currently operating at full capacity as they head out of the Valley. Similarly, the movement of private vehicles has also increased. Major highways, bus parks, and exit points around the Valley are witnessing a significant surge in traffic.

In response to the growing traffic flow, additional traffic police personnel have been deployed in the most congested areas. 

The election police force is also assisting traffic police in managing the increased flow of vehicles. 

In light of the rising traffic volume, security patrols along the highways have been intensified to ensure the safety of passengers.

Certain areas have been placed under special surveillance as needed.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested with an INSAS rifle and ammunition from Bhumdol in Suryabinayak Municipality-8, Bhaktapur. A special team from the Intelligence Bureau of the Armed Police Force detained Ayan Sedhai, a resident of Palungtar Municipality-9, Gorkha.

Security officials said they recovered four rounds of rifle and SLR bullets, two rounds of plastic bullets, one round of shotgun bullet, a khukuri, two cartridges, an axe and five syringes from his possession. Authorities are investigating the source of the weapons and ammunition.

The suspect has been handed over to the Nepal Police for further action, according to Armed Police Force spokesperson DIG Bishnu Prasad Bhatta. Officials suspect the rifle and ammunition may have been looted during the GenZ movement.

Yeti Airlines has planned to cancel all flights scheduled for the House of Representatives election scheduled for 5 March.

The company has issued a notice stating that there won’t be any flights on that day. Though the Election Commission has decided to continue domestic flights this time and other flights can operate the service if they want.

According to Yeti Airlines, flights will be regular from 6 March. Shuttle bus facilities will be available for air passengers in Kathmandu.

The Holi festival is being celebrated with much fanfare in the Tarai districts today. The festival was marked in mountainous and hilly districts on Monday. 

The festival is being celebrated in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta Purba), Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta Paschim), Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha, Udayapur, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Rupandehi, Kapilbastu, Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur districts. 

This festival is celebrated every year on the full moon day of the month of Fagun in the Lunar Calendar.

The Holi festival is being celebrated as an ancient tradition which brings a message of mutual harmony and goodwill with the arrival of spring. People smear colours and splash coloured water on one another in the course of celebrating this festival. 

People gather around the major thoroughfares dancing and singing.

As per legend, the festival is also celebrated as a victory of truth over falsehood, with people of all ages, caste and creed joining the celebration. 

The government has been giving a public holiday on the occasion of this festival.