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A landslide occurred this morning at Kharkhare cliff of Besisahar Municipality-6 in Lamjung district has caused vehicular obstruction along the Besisahar-Chame road section, the District Police Office said.

A heavy rain occurring in the district since last night has resulted in the landslide in the area.  

Police Inspector Thaneshwor Chapagain said that the Kharkhare area is a landslide-prone zone.

People traveling to and from Manang and northern belt of Lamjung have been stranded mid-way due to the obstruction.

Some places in Koshi, Lumbini and Karnali Provinces and one or two places Bagmati and Gandaki and some places in Koshi, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Provinces are likely to receive heavy rain with thunder and lightning.

In the next 24 hours, the weather will remain generally cloudy throughout the country and light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur in some places of all provinces, according to today's morning bulletin published by the Department.

According to the Department, several parts of Bagmati and Madhes Provinces and some parts in other provinces are receiving light to moderate rain now.

The Department stated that some parts of Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces received heavy rainfall in the past 12 hours.

Ever wondered why so many pedestrians in Kathmandu walk on the left side of the road, believing it’s the safest option? I did too, until I noticed the alarming frequency of pedestrians being hit from behind. This widespread misconception is not only quirky but also dangerous. In my survey of nearly 200 participants from Kathmandu Valley, 68.4 percent believed walking on the left side was correct. This belief is life-threatening. Pedestrians should walk on the right side, facing oncoming traffic, allowing them to see and react to approaching vehicles. Shockingly, only 31.6 percent of respondents knew this crucial safety practice. Understanding and adopting the correct walking practice is vital for reducing pedestrian accidents. By walking on the right side, pedestrians can anticipate and avoid potential hazards, making our streets safer for everyone. Since I’ve done the research for you, all you need to do is follow this advice and help spread the word.

Imagine driving through Kathmandu’s congested streets and signaling a right turn. You switch on your right-side indicator, but the vehicle behind you speeds up to overtake, nearly causing an accident. Yes, this happened to me! According to my survey, 31.6 percent of participants misunderstood the purpose of side lights, thinking they indicate permission to overtake rather than signaling a turn. This confusion is not just inconvenient; it’s a major safety hazard. Drivers need to understand that side lights are for indicating direction, not for overtaking. Public awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement of traffic rules are crucial to correct this misunderstanding. Proper use of side lights is essential for communicating intentions on the road, thereby preventing accidents. By clarifying this simple yet often misunderstood practice, we can significantly enhance road safety. I’ve identified the issue for you, so now it’s up to you to implement and advocate for correct practices.

Now, let’s talk about road features. Have you ever noticed how roads are designed with various features to enhance safety? Take superelevation, for example—the tilt on sharp curves to prevent vehicles from overturning. While 79 percent of respondents recognized superelevation, 60 percent couldn’t explain its function. This is just one example of many road features that are critical for safety yet often misunderstood by the general public. Other features include road markings, pedestrian crossings, and speed bumps. Understanding these elements can significantly improve driving and pedestrian behavior. Awareness of these features and their purposes can lead to more informed and cautious road use. By appreciating the engineering behind our roads, we can better navigate them and reduce risks. I’ve done the groundwork in highlighting these features, so it’s your turn to understand and utilize this knowledge effectively.

To address these misconceptions and improve road safety, we must integrate findings from various sources. Kumar, Gupta, and Singh (2018) emphasize the need for better infrastructure and public awareness for pedestrian safety in urban areas. The World Health Organization reports that pedestrian fatalities account for a significant proportion of road traffic deaths globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Similarly, Smith and Jones (2019) found that many drivers in the US misuse or neglect side lights, increasing accident risks, while Lin and Zhang (2021) demonstrated that targeted driver education significantly improved compliance and safety outcomes. Anderson and Wilson (2017) discovered that many UK drivers were unaware of the purpose and benefits of superelevation. Gupta, Verma, and Singh (2020) found that public education enhances understanding and safety.

Based on the survey findings and these sources, here are some recommendations to enhance road safety awareness in Nepal:

• Integrate road safety topics into licensing exams: Ensure that questions about pedestrian safety, side light usage, and road features like superelevation are included in driver licensing exams. This will reinforce the importance of these topics and ensure that all drivers have a basic understanding of them.
• Launch public awareness campaigns: Use media platforms, social media, and community events to spread awareness about correct pedestrian practices, proper use of vehicle side lights, and the benefits of various road features. Engaging content can make these campaigns more effective.
• Collaborate with schools and colleges: Educate young people about road safety through school curriculums and college workshops. Early education can instill lifelong habits and improve overall road safety culture.
• Use technology for education: Develop mobile apps and online resources that provide interactive learning experiences about road safety. Quizzes, videos, and simulations can help users understand and retain information better.

Enhancing road safety awareness in Nepal requires a multifaceted approach that includes better education, stricter enforcement of traffic rules, and engaging public awareness campaigns. By addressing misconceptions and promoting informed decision-making, we can create a safer road environment for everyone.

So, next time you step out onto the busy streets of Kathmandu, remember to walk on the right side, use your sidelights correctly, and appreciate the engineering marvels that keep you safe on those sharp curves. Let’s work together to make our roads safer, one step and one turn at a time.

Astha Giri of Machhapuchchhre Tole, Pokhara Metropolitan City-7 was happy to buy fresh vegetables near her house on Monday evening.

Many homemakers like her were crowding to buy vegetables there. Consumers are happy after the Pokhara Metropolitan City opened a farmer's mart at Ward 7 Ratnachowk from Monday for the sale of vegetables brought by agri-ambulances from different villages.

Holding a bag full of vegetables such as seasonal green vegetables, tomatoes, and bitter gourd in her hand, Astha said, "We used to go to Prithvi Chowk to buy vegetables. We are happy now that we get fresh vegetables so close to our home. To promote the consumption of local products, the metropolis has launched farmer's markets at various locations in Pokhara, it is said.

The metropolis has launched an agriculture ambulance to bring the agricultural products produced in the village to the market to directly connect consumers with farmers so that the middle man cannot impose high costs to the consumers. The agricultural ambulance has helped in the sale and distribution of vegetables produced in the rural settlements of the metropolis free of cost. Since last year, the metropolis has launched an agricultural ambulance.

Manhar Kadaria, Head of Metropolitan Agriculture and Economic Development Division, said that 'agriculture ambulances' connect producers and consumers easily and effectively.

According to him, such markets are conducted once a week in seven places of Pokhara, but due to increasing demand, markets are conducted twice a week in some wards of the metropolis.

Kadaria further said that collection centers have been established at 21 places in the metropolis for the collection of agricultural products produced by small farmers in rural areas and ambulances reach those places and bring the agricultural products to the market.