Dengue cases surpass 5,000
Dengue infections in Nepal have crossed the 5,000 mark this year.
Since late Dec 2024 up to now, a total of 5,196 cases of dengue have been confirmed. The virus has spread across 75 districts, with 294 new infections recorded in just the past week, according to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD).
Province-wise data show the highest number of cases in Gandaki (1,327), followed by Bagmati (1,191), Lumbini (911), Koshi (737), Sudurpaschim (622), Karnali (296), and Madhes (112).
Health experts warn that the actual number of infections could be much higher than reported. The EDCD noted that the figures represent only a fraction of the real dengue spread, as the national reporting system captures limited cases.
Rain likely across all provinces today
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology’s Forecasting Division has said that due to the influence of monsoon and local winds, light to moderate rainfall is likely across all provinces.
According to the division, this afternoon the hilly regions of all provinces will remain generally cloudy, while other areas will see partial cloud cover.
Rain is expected in the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces, as well as in some Tarai areas. A few places in the Tarai may experience moderate rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning.
Isolated heavy rainfall is also possible in some hilly areas of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces.
Similarly, tonight, the hilly regions of Koshi, Madhes, and Bagmati provinces will remain mostly cloudy, while other areas will see partial cloud cover. Moderate rainfall is likely in parts of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and a few other regions.
Maha Astami today
Hindus throughout the country are observing the eighth day of the ten-day long Bada Dasain festival as the Maha Astami festival today by worshipping Goddess Durga. On this day, people offer special worships to the goddesses Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Maha Saraswati. This day of the Dasain festival is considered a special day when Goddess Durga attained power.
On the occasion, people perform religious rituals at the Dasain Ghars and armouries and offer worship to goddess at various shrines by offering sacrifices of different animals. The people also read the Durga Saptashati scriptures. Devotees throng various goddess shrines in the Kathmandu Valley from early morning today for offering worships and sacrificing goats and ducks.
Similarly, people throng the various goddess temples throughout the country today to offer worships, sacrificing goats, ducks and roosters. Special puja worship and prayer ceremonies are held at the Dasain Ghars. People also worship the weapons, vehicles and machines.
People who do not sacrifice animals offer sacrifices of various vegetables and fruits in place of animals.
Also on this day, a special Kalaratri worship is held at midnight at the Dashain Ghar of Hanumandhoka in the capital city.
Muglin–Narayanghat road reopens
Traffic along the Muglin–Narayanghat road section has resumed after a landslide near Tuin Khola bridge was cleared. Both lanes of the highway have now been reopened.
A minor landslide around 7 am had briefly halted traffic, but the situation worsened at around 12:30 pm when a larger landslide blocked both directions. Three heavy machines were deployed to remove the debris, though recurring slides made clearance efforts difficult.
Thousands of travelers, many on the move for the festival season, were stranded on the highway for hours. With the road now open, vehicles are gradually moving toward their destinations, though heavy traffic congestion remains due to the long closure.
