Nepali national arrested in Strait of Hormuz
A Nepali national has been arrested in the Strait of Hormuz, the Foreign Ministry stated.
Speaking at a press conference held on Friday, Ramkaji Khadka, Head of the West Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Amrit Jha, was among the crew members of a ship that was seized by the Iranian authorities in Hormuz.
It has been learnt that the Iranian authorities had reportedly taken the entire crew into custody.
The Strait of Hormuz is a waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Iran shut down imports from the Strait of Hormuz after the US and Israel attacked Iran.
Storm damages bananas worth over 40 million in Chitwan
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.
Cloudy weather condition with rain/snowfall likely in different parts today
At present, Nepal is under the influence of a westerly low-pressure system along with local winds, the Weather Forecasting Division stated.
The weather is generally cloudy in hilly and Himalayan areas of Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces, as well as Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces, while the mountainous regions of other provinces are also experiencing cloudy weather condition.
The hilly regions of Koshi and Bagmati Provinces are partly cloudy, while the rest of the areas have largely clear weather.
This afternoon, most parts of the country will be cloudy according to the Division. There is a possibility of moderate rain and snowfall with thunder, lightning, and hail in many areas of Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces, in some hilly and Himalayan regions of Gandaki, Lumbini, and Koshi Provinces, and in some areas of other provinces.
Heavy rain or snowfall is likely in one or two areas of the hilly and Himalayan regions of Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, it is stated in the weather forecasting bulletin.
Similarly, most parts of the country will remain cloudy tonight. There is a possibility of moderate rain and snowfall with thunder, lightning, and hail in many areas of Karnali, Sudurpaschim, and Gandaki Provinces, and in some areas of other provinces.
The Division has cautioned the general public, farmers, as well as those travelling or engaged in transport operations in areas forecasted to have snowfall and rain. -
Beware of storm for three days, alerts disaster risk authority
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has requested one and all to adopt precautions, reasoning about the possibility of heavy rains and storms for the next three days.
Issuing a press release on Thursday, NDRRMA urged everyone to remain alert.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, heavy rainfall and snowfall are predicted in the hilly and mountainous regions of Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces for the next three days.
High speed wind is likely to occur in Dang, Nepalgunj and Tarai areas of Lumbini Province.
The Department mentioned that the storm would occur at a speed of 119 kilometer per hour in Biratnagar, Dhankuta, Dharan and the surrounding districts till Saturday.
It is shared that the wind may pose risks, causing damages in various structures, including disruption in electricity and communication services.
Under-Secretary at NDRRMA, Ram Bahadur KC, requested the locals of these areas to avoid unnecessary travel, stay in safer places and stop operating vehicles so that they could minimize damages and harms.
