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Nepal is bracing for heavy to very heavy rainfall across various parts of the country. In response, the government has placed all relevant agencies, including security forces, on high alert due to the increased risk of floods and landslides. Nighttime travel restrictions have been imposed on major highways to prevent accidents and ensure public safety.

Citizens have been advised to remain indoors. Political parties have issued directives to their cadres to stay alert and assist the public in case of emergencies. Foreign tourists currently trekking and mountaineering are returning early due to the deteriorating weather conditions. People are praying that the rains do not cause damage and loss of life, as they did last year. Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal is in constant consultation with security and disaster response agencies to coordinate preparedness and response efforts.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has received one complaint related to human rights violations during the Dashain festival. The Commission has also drawn the government’s attention to rising criminal activities and black market practices during the festive season. With the absence of an elected legislature, the NHRC has stressed its vital role in holding the government accountable and safeguarding civil and political rights.

The Nepal Intellectual Council, a sister organization of the CPN-UML, has requested party Chairman KP Sharma Oli to step down from the leadership before the upcoming general convention. A formal letter was submitted to party General Secretary Shankar Pokharel urging for a leadership transition. Despite mounting pressure following the GenZ protests and increasing public criticism, Oli has made it clear he will not resign before the next convention.

The Ministry of Finance has announced that Nepali or foreign nationals entering Nepal may carry up to USD 500 in cash without a customs declaration. However, any amount exceeding USD 5,000 must be declared at customs. Newly appointed Finance Minister Rameshwar Khanal has initiated a series of austerity measures aimed at improving the country’s economic health. He has taken action against unlawful benefits taken by political parties, a move that has garnered public support.

As domestic airlines hike fares due to ongoing highway blockades, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has issued a list of maximum allowable airfare rates for major domestic routes. CAAN has urged the public to report any airlines charging above the government-set rates. The move comes in response to public complaints and increased pressure on air travel due to restricted road transport.

Three people lost their lives in separate road accidents on Thursday in Ramechhap, Chitwan, and Nawalparasi West districts.

In Ramechhap Municipality-7, Bhalukhop, a taxi (Bagmati Province BH 9219) heading towards Ramechhap Danda from Bhalukhop met with an accident after losing control on Thursday afternoon. The driver, 41-year-old Lal Kaji Ghising of Hudichhap, Manthali Municipality-4, who was critically injured, died during treatment at Ramechhap District Hospital.

In Chitwan, a pedestrian was killed after being hit by a bus (Ga 2 Kha 1404) at Pipal Chowk, Bharatpur Metropolitan City-7, on Thursday evening. The victim, 72-year-old Nandakali Kandel of the same locality, succumbed to injuries during treatment at Bharatpur Government Hospital. Police have taken the bus driver into custody.

Similarly, in Nawalparasi West, a pedestrian was killed after being hit by a motorcycle (Ba 82 Pa 9863) at Nayabasti, Sunwal Municipality-2, on Thursday night. The victim, 50-year-old Pramila Teli of the same area, died early Friday morning while undergoing treatment at Tinau International Hospital, Butwal, Rupandehi. Police have taken the motorcyclist into custody.

Police said investigations into the accidents are underway.

Police have arrested four individuals with illegal drugs in separate operations in Sunsari and Kailali districts.

In Sunsari’s Barahachhetra Municipality-3, Ramailo Chowk plotting area, police arrested 22-year-old Samir Chandravanshi of Barahachhetra-10 on Thursday evening. He was found with 35 tablets of Nitrazepam and 8 tablets of Spasmo. The arrest was made by a team from Bharol Police Post.

Similarly, police apprehended 25-year-old Dipesh Kumar Mehta of Bokraha Narsingh Rural Municipality-1 from Bhutahakhal, Barahachhetra-10, on Thursday afternoon. He was caught with 360 milligrams of a substance resembling brown sugar heroin while riding a motorcycle (Ko 16 Pa 3993) towards Prakashpur. The arrest was made by a team from Prakashpur Police Post.

In another operation, police arrested two individuals from Khakraul, Tikapur Municipality-9, Kailali, on Thursday night with 210 milligrams of a substance suspected to be brown heroin. The arrestees have been identified as 22-year-old Ravi Chaudhary of Rajapur Municipality-4, Bardiya, and 33-year-old Suresh Bik. The arrests were carried out by a team from Kalakund Police Post.

Police said further investigation into the cases is underway.

Two people were killed and 26 others injured in a bus accident in Mahottari on Friday morning.

According to the District Police Office, Mahottari, a passenger bus (Na 6 Kha 1464) heading towards Kathmandu met with an accident at Bardibas Municipality-10, Khayarmara. The accident claimed the lives of a pedestrian and a passenger on board.

Police confirmed that 65-year-old local resident Chulhai Chaudhary, who was walking by the roadside, died on the spot after being hit by the bus. Similarly, 10-year-old Pramis Khadka of Ishworpur Municipality-12, Sarlahi, who was traveling in the bus, died while undergoing treatment at Shubha Swastik Hospital, Bardibas.

The crash also left 26 passengers injured, including 13 women. They are currently receiving treatment at Shubha Swastik Hospital.

District Traffic Police Chief Laxmi Raj Joshi said the bus lost control, crashed through the wall of Laxminarayan Secondary School in Khayarmara, and hit a coconut tree before halting.

The exact cause of the accident has not yet been determined, police spokesperson DSP Shailendra Kumar Bhatta said, adding that further investigation is underway.