BP Highway closed after floods wash away diversion road
Traffic along the BP Highway has come to a halt after the flood in the Roshi River washed away the temporary road on Friday evening.
As a result, the District Police Office, Kavrepalanchok, has imposed a ban on traffic since Saturday night.
The flooded Roshi River on Friday evening washed away about four kilometers of diversion road from Chowkidanda to Nepalthok in the Roshi area.
Although a plan was made to temporarily construct and open the road with the help of the Department of Roads, Traffic Police and locals, it could not be opened due to continuous rainfall on Saturday, said Chief of the District Police Office, Kavrepalanchok, Superintendent of Police, Komal Shah.
The Division Road Office, Bhaktapur, has stated that out of the 18 km diversion built on the road section washed away by the floods and landslides last year, four kilometers have been washed away at various places. Senior Divisional Engineer Suman Yogesh at the office said that there was difficulty in constructing the diversion due to continuous rain.
After the floods and landslides last year completely damaged the Chowkidanda-Nepalthok road section, temporary roads and diversions were constructed to resume traffic on the highway.
Rainfall likely in hilly and mountainous regions
The weather will remain generally cloudy in the hilly and mountainous regions of the country today. Likewise, partly cloudy conditions will prevail in the rest of the country.
There is a possibility of light rainfall and snowfall accompanied by thunder and lightning at a few places in the hilly and mountainous regions, according to the Weather Forecasting Division.
Meteorological Analysis by the Division states that presently there is an influence of a westerly low pressure system as well as local winds in the country.
Mustang Air helicopter with five on board goes missing
A Mustang Air helicopter en route to Lapchi of Dolakha from Kathmandu has been reported missing since this afternoon.
There were five people on board the chopper.
The condition of the aircraft and its occupants has not yet been officially informed.
Ram Nawami festival being observed today
The Ram Nawami festival is being celebrated today by worshipping Lord Shri Ram Chandra at various shrines across the country.
Shri Ram Chandra is believed to have been born on the day of Chaitra Shukla Nawami as the son of King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya Devi of Ayodhya in the Treta Yuga. He is revered as the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu by Hindus.
Theologian and Chairperson of the Nepal Calendar Determination and Development Committee, Prof Dr Ram Chandra Gautam, says that one of the importance of celebrating Ram Nawami festival is an inspiration for a dignified, disciplined and controlled state ruler like Ram.
On this occasion, Ramlila is performed in Janakpur, Nepal and Ayodhya, India.
Today, men and women from Nepal and India flock to the Ram Janaki temple in Janakpur to celebrate a grand fair organized to mark the occasion.
There is also a tradition of fasting, bathing in holy rivers, lakes and ponds, reciting the Ramayana and worshiping Lord Rama and singing bhajans all night long.
