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Shree Antu in Ilam is famous for its sunrise views. Now, a new destination is drawing visitors eager to witness the sunset: Borabandh in Varahakshetra Municipality-6 of Sunsari, a riverside spot along the Saptakoshi that has rapidly gone viral.

The number of visitors coming to Borabandh to watch the giant waves of the Saptakoshi, the golden reflections on the river, and the spectacular view of the sun sinking behind the hills is increasing every day. Ward Chairperson of Barahakshetra-7, Kapil Acharya, said, “Just like Shree Antu attracts people for sunrise, Borabandh is now attracting visitors for sunset. It has become a new tourist hotspot in Varahakshetra.” What was once a quiet riverside hangout has surged in popularity after photos and videos of the area went viral on social media.

The biggest draw for tourists is the stunning sunset scene—an open sky, a calm river surface, and the sun slowly disappearing behind the hilltops. By late afternoon, young people, families, couples, and photography enthusiasts gather here to take photos, record videos, make TikToks, or simply sit along the riverbank. Visitors begin arriving around 3 pm, and by 5 pm the riverside is packed.

Tourists say Borabandh offers an intimate experience of nature. Sitting in a boat, playing with the river’s waves, and watching golden light shimmer across the water leaves many smiling in wordless satisfaction. The growing crowds have transformed the once-quiet Koshi banks. Hotels and restaurants have now opened in places where only a handful of people visited before.

One such business is a riverside restaurant operated by local resident Bikul Shrestha, which has quickly become one of the busiest establishments in the area. “Our daily turnover now exceeds Rs 50,000,” he said. “We serve fish, local chicken, pork, spicy dishes, and more—right on the banks of the Koshi. Tourists leave happy.” The popularity of Borabandh has boosted the local economy, created employment opportunities for youth, and increased demand for local products.

Visitors are now coming not only from Dharan, Beltar, Inaruwa, Itahari, and Biratnagar, but also from Bihar, India. With the rising number of tourists, authorities have strengthened security. Police Inspector Diwas Kunwar of the Mahendranagar Area Police Office said police have been deployed for public safety and traffic management.

The local government has also taken interest in Borabandh’s potential. Varahakshetra Mayor Ramesh Karki said, “We plan to develop Borabandh as a new tourist destination. It could become another key attraction after Koshi Tappu Wildlife Sanctuary.” Plans include systematic development with parks, walking trails, picnic areas, proper parking, and improved sanitation.

The name “Borabandh” itself has a story. During the monsoon, river erosion posed flood risks to nearby settlements. To protect the area, locals filled soil in sacks and stacked them along the riverbank to create an embankment—bora (bags) and bandh (embankment)—giving the place its name.

Work has begun on installing a Bailey bridge at Banshilaghat on the Sunkoshi River, an essential transport route linking Khotang and Udayapur. After the concrete bridge at Phoksingtar was swept away by floods, several areas in Khotang were effectively cut off, creating a “natural blockade.”

Because road conditions made vehicle movement difficult, authorities began constructing an alternative route. The Koshi Province government purchased the Bailey bridge and handed over installation responsibilities to the Physical Infrastructure Development Office, Khotang.

After the Phoksingtar bridge was destroyed, thousands of residents in southern Khotang struggled with daily travel. Reaching Udayapur became especially difficult for people from Barahapokhari, Jantedhunga, Khotehang, and Diprung Chuichumma rural municipalities, including those traveling to the district headquarters, Diktel. Once the Bailey bridge is operational, it will provide easier access to major service centers and markets such as Beltar in Udayapur, Dharan, Itahari, Biratnagar, and Jhapa, according to Shalikram Banjara.

The Physical Infrastructure Development Office initiated contract procedures for the installation at an estimated cost of Rs 10m. Among the bidders, Gurukul Builders and Suppliers of Rautahat won the contract at Rs 5.7m including tax. Chief engineer Binam Dahal said all construction and installation work will be completed by mid-Mangsir, allowing the bridge to come into operation by the end of December.

The Bailey bridge will be 51.81 meters long and 4.1 meters wide. Dahal said long-term provincial and local plans aim to significantly improve southern Khotang’s connectivity to Udayapur and major Tarai cities. All necessary materials have already reached the site. Locals expect the bridge to ease daily life and bring improvements in education, health, trade, agriculture, and social activities.

Construction has generated excitement and relief in surrounding rural municipalities. Since the earlier bridge was washed away, schoolchildren, patients, and daily wage workers have all been severely affected. Once completed, the Bailey bridge will ease travel from Khotang to Tarai districts via Beltar. Local traders also expect reduced transport costs to markets in Beltar, Dharan, and Itahari.

Chief Minister Hikmat Karki said the Koshi Provincial Government has identified Banshilaghat as a key road network junction and prioritized the Bailey bridge construction to strengthen Khotang-Udayapur connectivity. The province purchased the Bailey bridge for Rs 18.7m and is advancing the project accordingly.

According to CPN-UML district member Suman Rai, the bridge will unlock new opportunities for local development. It will make it easier to transport agricultural produce, improve access to health services, reduce travel time, and increase visitor flow to southern Khotang’s tourism sites. After its completion, rural municipalities in southern Khotang will gain direct access to the East-West Highway and service centers in Madhes Province.

The 51-meter Bailey bridge at Banshilaghat will not only provide immediate relief to flood-affected residents but also mark an important step toward sustainable development, said Bajindra Bista, president of Nepali Congress Jantedhunga Rural Municipality. He said the bridge will transform transportation, trade, and livelihoods across southern Khotang as well as Aamchowk and Ram Prasad Rai Rural Municipalities in Bhojpur.

The number of tourists visiting Mustang by November has increased by 10.61 percent compared to the same period in 2024.

According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Jomsom, 14,411 more foreign tourists visited the district by November this year compared to the previous year. 

One hundred fifty-one thousand two hundred and thirty tourists visited the district as of November this year.

This year, 124,353 tourists from SAARC countries and 26,877 from other countries visited the district as of November. 

Tourist arrivals in August and September had declined due to adverse weather and the Gen Z movement, it is said.

In 2024, a total of 135,719 tourists, including those from SAARC nations, had visited the district. 

The number of tourists from the SAARC region stood at 109,549.

A man was found dead with a bicycle fallen in the Dhobi Khola in Kathmandu on Thursday.  

The deceased has been identified as Lalit Giri (50) of Mandandeupur Municipality-1 in Kavrepalanchok, according to Pawan Kumar Bhattarai, Superintendent of Police of the District Police Range, Kathmandu.

Giri was found dead with a bicycle in Dhobi Khola near Rudramati Bridge in Kathmandu Metropolitan City-29 this morning.

A police team has been mobilized to carry out the necessary investigation.