PM Relief Fund receives Rs 17.75 billion for flood victims

The Prime Minister Natural Disaster Rescue Fund and Prime Minister Relief Fund have been receiving funds for the financial assistance of the people affected by the floods in the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river system.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, a total of Rs 17.75 billion has been deposited at the Fund's various bank accounts till today. 

The Fund's nine accounts maintained at various commercial banks have Rs 13.23 billion and the accounts at Himalayan Bank and Laxmi Sunrise Banks have USD 29.747 million. 

 

 

 

80 new HIV infections recorded in 9 months

Eighty new cases of HIV/AIDS infection have been recorded in Chitwan over the past nine months. 

The infections were detected during screenings conducted among high-risk groups from January 2024 to the present.

The infections were identified during tests performed on 223 individuals by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) at Bharatpur Hospital. 

Including the newly diagnosed cases, a total of 91 patients have started taking antiretroviral (ARV) medication during this period. 

With this addition, the total number of patients receiving ART medication through the Foundation has reached 1,293.

According to Dr Pramod Paudel, a physician at the hospital, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were also detected in 52 of the HIV-positive individuals during screening. 

The STIs were identified while testing 1,161 people. 

He also noted that tuberculosis (TB) is frequently observed among HIV/AIDS patients. 

Sputum tests conducted on 148 individuals revealed TB in 15 cases.

 

 

 

More than 2500 EVs left stranded in Mustang

Over 2,500 electric vehicles (EVs) have entered Nepal via the Korala Pass in the past two weeks. 

However, since the Beni-Jomsom road remains obstructed by floods, landslides, and river erosion following heavy rainfall in late August, these imported EVs remain stranded in Mustang, unable to reach their final destinations.

Although the road reopened on Friday evening, the route remains difficult to navigate, preventing the EVs from proceeding to their destinations. 

According to the Armed Police Force (APF) Border Outpost (BOP) at Nhechung, Lomanthang-4 located near the Nepal-China northern Korala Pass, more than 2,000 electric vehicles are currently parked in the open area and the Mustang Customs Yard at Nhechung. 

Similarly, over 500 electric vehicles that cleared customs at Korala and were brought down to Jomsom remained parked at two sites in the area. 

Meanwhile, Deepak Budhathoki, a representative for BYD company, stated that although the obstructed Beni-Jomsom road has reopened, its condition remains precarious, preventing the electric vehicles currently in Jomsom from proceeding to their final destinations. 

He noted that more than 2,000 BYD vehicles of various models, which entered via the Korala border, have been stranded in Mustang since the road was blocked by heavy rains.

According to Police Inspector and Information Officer Santosh Basyal, more than 600 containers carrying goods imported through the Korala border had departed from the district toward their destinations by Monday. He further said that as the containers previously held up in the district moved out, some empty containers headed up to the Korala border to transport goods.

 

Light rainfall likely in Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini

Light rain and snowfall are  likely at one or two places in the mountainous region of the country, as well as in the hilly areas of Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces today.

According to the Weather Forecasting Division, partly cloudy conditions will prevail in the mountainous and hilly areas of the country, while weather will remain mainly fair in the Tarai region. 

The Meteorological Analysis by the Division states that the country is currently under the partial influence of westerly winds and monsoon winds.