Feasibility study begins on resolving inundation problem in Biratnagar

The Biratnagar Metropolitan City (BMC) has begun a feasibility study in a bid to seek a long term resolution to the inundation problem here. The study began with the assistance of Asian Development Bank. The BMC city is inundated every year during monsoon for lack of proper outlet. Mayor Nagesh Koirala informed that BMC would seek a scientific solution to the problem it has been facing for a long time.  The feasibility study team is now inspecting various wards that suffer much during monsoon rains. He further said the consultants from ADB were now studying how the inundation in BMC could be given an outlet to Singhiya and Keshliya streams. The BMC is mulling how the water from old canals as Ghoga, Basta, Dhuduwa, Chyangbari, and Marli could be drained at major streams.  "Along with the ADB team, I'm visiting the areas that are most affected during rains. The team would prepare the report in two weeks which would pave the way for the works ahead," Koirala informed. The technical team leader for the feasibility study from SCHEMES DM, Dr Sheikh Javed Mohammad, also said they had begun the inspection of the inundated areas. A detailed report would be prepared after the feasibility study. The team had the field inspections of ward no 3, 15, 17, 18 and 19 of BMC.  

11 killed as jeep meets with accident in Jajarkot

At least 11 persons died when a jeep met with an accident in Jajarkot on Monday. The deceased have been identified as Bir Bahadur Khatri of Jajarkot, Jaya Bahadur Buda, Nainsara Adhikari, Ram Bahadur Buda, Devisara Buda, Amar Adhikari, Nisha Adhikari and Deepa Adhikari of Lewa, Chedagad-5, jeep driver Man Bahadur Raut of Rum Dailekh, Bhagwati Rural Municipality-2, Birendra KC and Amar Bahadur Khadka of Dailekh, Bhagwatimai Rural Municipality-3. Amar and Nisha, who were critically injured in the incident, breathed their last on the way to a hospital. Jaiwan Adhikari is said to be critical condition. He has been sent to Surkhet for further treatment. The incident occurred when the jeep (Karnali Province 02-001 Cha 0429) heading towards Lewa from Jews fell some 200 meters down the road at Bhirbati in Chedagad Municipality-4 of West Jajarkot. Chief District Officer of Jajarkot Janak Prasad Bhandari said that police are looking into the case.

Jajarkot’s Facebook Hill drawing visitors

Locals have named a small hill on Dashera section of the Mid-Hills Highway in Chhedagad Municipality of Jajarkot as 'Facebook Hill'.  Road authorities have erected a board containing the name 'Facebook Hill' along the road section.  While authorities were searching for a local name for the area after blacktopping the road section, local youths suggested the name, according to Harihar Adhikari, a local of the area.  Local people used to come to this place if they lost telecommunication signal in their villages. Gradually local youth started frequenting the place to use Facebook using 2G connection. This way the place earned the name 'Facebook Hill', say locals.  "Though mobile signal was not available in different parts of Chhedegad in the past, phones used to work in this place. That is why people started calling the place as 'Facbook Hill'", Chandra Bahadur Thapa, deputy mayor of Chhedegad Municipality, said.  Facebook Hill is a popular destination now. People traveling through the road section stop here, take selfies and make TikTok videos, according to Thapa.  Telecommunication services are not available in all the settlements because of difficult topography. People still have a compulsion to climb to higher altitude to get telecommunication signal.

Paddy production up in Palpa

Paddy production in Palpa district has increased two percent this year as compared to the previous year. The district saw the production of 32,019 metric tonnes of paddy this year as opposed to 31,428 metric tons in the previous year, according to the Agriculture Knowledge Center (AKC), Palpa. Paddy cultivation was done in 8,210 hectare of lands this year as compared to 8,206 hectares in the previous year. "Paddy production has increased this year despite insects having destroyed it in some areas," said the AKC chief Kamana Adhikari. Factors like irrigation, the use of modern technology and hybrid seeds have been thanked for the increment of paddy production, said the AKC information officer Milan Gaire. Farmers have switched to hybrid paddy seeds for high production. They have been using various types of hybrid seeds including 'Sabitri', 'Hybrid', 'Sanwa' 'Mansuli', 'US-312', 'Shanti', 'Series', 'Khumal-3' and 'Sukka Dhan'. Paddy thresher and ploughing lands with the use of a tractor and other modern technology have made it easier for farmers.