Submit your Article

Former Chairperson of Himalayan Reinsurance Limited and ex-President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCi) Shekhar Golchha has been arrested from Kathmandu today. 

A team of the Nepal Police Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) detained Golchaa, a resident of Nagarjun Municipality-8, from Naxal, Kathmandu. 

CIB spokesperson and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shiva Kumar Shrestha said that Golchha was arrested based on the preliminary investigation report of the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) for further inquiry. 

Shrestha stated that Golchha was taken into custody for further investigation and action as per the section 103 (3) of the Securities Act, 2063, under offences mentioned in sections 94, 95, 96(1) and 98 of the same Act. 

Acting on the preliminary investigation report of the Securities Board, 2083, the police team arrested industrialist Golchha today with permission from the Kathmandu District Court, the CIB informed.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), Meteorological Forecasting Division has urged necessary precautions after the rise in temperature across the country.

According to the Division, there is a possibility of hot days in Madhes Province as well as in the plains of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpashchim Provinces, including the valleys and basins.

Similarly, as there is also a possibility of a heatwave in the Tarai region of Lumbini and Sudurpashchim Provinces, the Division has requested the public to stay updated with the latest weather update and to take necessary precautions.

Thirty people were killed in various parts of the country due to disasters in the month of Chaitra (March 14 to April 13). 

Sixteen men, 10 women and four children died in natural disasters including fire, storm, lightning and snowfall. Two hundred and twenty-two people have been injured due to natural disasters during that period, according to police. 

It is reported that 191 houses, 117 animal shelters, and three government offices have been damaged, while 529 livestock have died. 

The estimated loss from the disaster is Rs 337. 26 million. 

A total of 143 people have been displaced by the disaster. 

During this period, 272 disaster incidents were reported in Koshi, 136 in Madhes, 85 in Bagmati, 39 in the Kathmandu Valley, 95 in Gandaki, 129 in Lumbini, 57 in Karnali and 93 in Sudurpashchim Province.

Police spokesperson Avi Narayan Kafle said that 4,841 police personnel were deployed for disaster response.

Air pollution has increased in Kathmandu Valley. Air quality, which had improved after rainfall, has declined to 'very unhealthy' level all of sudden.  

The Air Quality Index (AQI) had reached around 92 on Tuesday afternoon and it was 247 till 11 am today. It is said that it might affect people's health. 

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good',  between 51 and 100 as 'moderate', between 101 and 150 as 'unhealthy',  between 151 and 200 as 'unhealthy for all', between 201 and 300 as 'very unhealthy' and above 300 as 'hazardous'.

Director General of Department of Environment, Gyan Raj Subedi, said insufficient rainfall, increasing drought, trend of burning agricultural residues, incidents of wildfire, have played a major role in increasing air pollution.

"Drought is increasing and sufficient rainfall has not occurred. It has contributed to accumulation of dust and smoke in the atmosphere," he mentioned.

Subedi shared that the bodies concerned have been urged for effective implementation of measures for sustainable and environment-friendly development. 

Similarly, Meteorologist at the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Binu Maharjan, opined that there was no chance of adequate rainfall for the next three days and temperature would continue to rise. 

"The atmosphere will not be clean until rainfall which helps increase pollution," added Maharjan. 

Specifically, air pollution would affect children, senior citizens, heart patients and patients suffering from respiratory problems. 

People have been requested to avoid unnecessary movement and to wear masks.