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The 5.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Bajura district on Tuesday has completely displaced 42 families. The displaced families include 12 from Himali Rural Municipality, 15 from Gaumul Rural Municipality and 15 from Badimalika Municipality, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Surya Bahadur Thapa. Similarly, 12 affected families from Badimalika, four from Himali and 14 from Gaumul are taking shelter in their relatives' houses, he said, adding that other five affected families are living in tents, and a family in a temple. Around 400 houses were damaged in the quake, according to the District Police Office. Most of the affected local level in the quake is Badimalika Municipality, said Thapa. The houses completely destroyed by the quake included 21 in Badimalika, three in Budhinanda, one in Budhiganga, 19 in Himali, 11 in Gaumul, four in Khaptad Chhededaha, one in Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality. Partially damaged houses included 31 in Badimalika, nine in Budhinanda, nine in Himali, five in Khaptad Chhededaha, and five in Gaumul. The houses that got general damages were 187 in Badimalika, one in Budhinanda, 40 in Himali and one in Swamikartik. A person was killed and many others were injured in the quake. The deceased was identified as Jamuna Rokaya of Jurile at Gaumul Rural Municipality-2. The injured have been identified as Rajdal Bohara of Gaumul-1, Chandra Mahat of Badimalika Municipality-2, six-year-old Sushrita Thapa of Himali Rural Municipality-1 and 16-year-old Sarita Nepali, said the police. Of the injured, Bohara, Mahat and Nepali were discharged from the hospital, while others are receiving treatment at a local health post, said Thapa, adding that 35 sheep belonging to one Amlis at Gaumul-1 were killed in the tragedy.  

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has formed an expert-led panel to seek recommendations to bring reforms in the country’s public transportation system. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Narayan Kaji Shrestha formed the ‘study task force on vehicle pollution, road safety and road accident reduction’. Former secretary Sharad Chandra Paudel is the coordinator of the seven-member task force. The task force is assigned to prepare a report based on its study. Former Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Nepal Police Bigyan Raj Sharma, Prof Dr Padam Bahadur Shahi of Pulchowk Engineering Campus, public transport expert Madhu Sudan Acharya and engineer Bijay Gautam are the members in the task force. The task force shall have a representative from the public transport entrepreneur. Director General of Transport Management Department Dr Tokraj Pandey is the member-secretary of the task force, the Ministry stated issuing a press statement.  

Shree Panchami also known as Basanta Panchami is being celebrated today across the country by worshiping Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, learning, art, music and culture. The day is very special for students and new learners. Students take an early bath, observe the mass Saraswati Puja in schools, visit temples and listen to Basanta Shrawan. Many educational institutions arrange special prayers or pujas in the morning to seek blessings of the goddess. Poetic and musical gatherings are held in some communities in reverence of Saraswati. Many families mark this day by sitting with young children, encouraging them to write their first words with their fingers, while some just study or create music together. Goddess Saraswati is worshiped with various names such as Bharati, Sharada, Jagatmata, Bageshwari, Kaumari, Baradayani and Kamdhenu. People from Hindu and Sikh communities, mainly in Nepal and eastern India, observe this festival. It is believed that the festival marks the beginning of the spring season. Meanwhile, the Basanta Shrawan ritual is to be organized at Nasalchowk of Hanumandhoka in the capital at 10.47 am on Thursday. According to the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Bikas Samiti (Calendar Determination Committee), the ritual event is to be held at Nasalchowk at the auspicious time of 10.47 am this morning. President Bidya Devi Bhandari is scheduled to attend the Basanta Shrawan ritual, Chief of Hanumandhoka Palace Management and Conservation Committee, Sandeep Khanal. Also present on the occasion would be the Vice-President, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, members of parliament, constitutional bodies chiefs and members and province assembly members, among others. All necessary preparations for the event has been completed, the office said.

Police have arrested a man in possession of 35.5 kg hashish. The detainee has been identified as Bir Bahadur Tamang (32) of Gajuri-8, Dhading. A team deployed from the Metropolitan Police Circle, Koteshwor nabbed Tamang acting on a tip-off. The market price of the seized hashish is Rs 862, 500, DSP Yogendra Kumar Khadka said.