Submit your Article

Authorities are still investigating the cause of a sudden flash flood along the Nepal-China border that caused extensive damage. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority have ruled out rainfall as the cause, suggesting instead that a glacial lake outburst flood in Tibet may be responsible. At least 10 people have died, with several others still missing. The flood swept away the Nepal-China Friendship Bridge, a critical link between the two countries, prompting the Nepali government to seek Chinese assistance for reconstruction. While bilateral trade may face temporary disruptions, officials expect no major supply shortages. With the monsoon season ongoing, authorities remain on high alert for further floods and landslides, and movement has been restricted in some areas due to blocked highways.

In political developments, the meeting of the Nepali Congress’s Central Working Committee (CWC) is underway after a nine-month hiatus. Leaders discussed the party’s general convention, intra-party democracy, and government performance. While some leaders expressed dissatisfaction, there was no opposition to the current coalition, a major relief for Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The NC also took disciplinary action against several leaders accused of undermining the party’s official candidates in the 2022 elections, a move criticized by supporters of senior leader Shekhar Koirala as a violation of party statute. Meanwhile, the CWC is expected to finalize a date for the party’s general convention, though President Sher Bahadur Deuba opposes holding it immediately.

Meanwhile, the CPN-UML is preparing for a statute convention to revise policies rather than leadership. Former President Bidhya Devi Bhandari’s return to active politics has shifted internal dynamics, with early signs pointing toward reconciliation between her and Oli. However, her planned post-monsoon tours could stir unease within the party, particularly regarding ongoing debates over age and term limits. The NC has raised objections to Bhandari’s political re-entry, with Deuba arguing that former heads of state should refrain from partisan politics.

Meanwhile, the Nagarik Unmukti Party’s withdrawal of support from the NC-UML coalition is unlikely to threaten the government’s majority, though legal experts are divided on whether Prime Minister Oli must seek a fresh vote of confidence. 

On constitutional matters, little progress has been made since the NC and UML agreed over a year ago to initiate amendments. The NC has now formed a committee to identify necessary changes, though experts argue that amendments should follow a review of the constitution’s implementation, a step yet to be taken. Meanwhile, rumors of a UML-Maoist merger resurfaced, prompting the Maoist to deny any such plans. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal acknowledged talks with smaller communist parties but clarified that no discussions with UML have taken place.

A recent Supreme Court ruling validating 53 constitutional appointments without parliamentary hearings has drawn criticism for undermining constitutionalism. While the UML supports the decision, other parties, including the NC and Maoists, have objected, reigniting calls for a dedicated constitutional court. 

A parliamentary committee has been formed to investigate irregularities in amending the Federal Civil Service Bill’s cooling-off provision, with a report expected within 21 days.

On the economic front, Nepal’s economy remains sluggish despite declining inflation, with remittances being the sole bright spot. Merchandise exports surged by 77.8 percent in the first 11 months of the fiscal year 2024-25, driven by a 112.6 percent increase in trade with India. Attention now turns to the upcoming monetary policy, with Governor Bishwo Poudel under pressure to deliver solutions.

In other news, former King Gyanendra Shah celebrated his 80th birthday privately amid renewed but waning pro-monarchy sentiment. Sources indicate his frustration with Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairperson Rajendra Lingden’s leadership. 

More than 10,000 cattle have been infected with lumpy skin disease in a year in the district. 

In recent months, 142 infected cattle have died. According to Shital Bhattarai, chief of Veterinary Hospital and Animal Service Technical Center, Jhapa, vaccination campaigns are going on in all 15 local levels in the district to control the disease. 

So far, 58,000 animals have been vaccinated in the district.  She also shared that the highest cases were recorded in Mechinagar Municipality and Bahradashi Rural Municipality.  

Chief Bhattarai mentioned that the infection of Lumpy Skin Disease was spreading with the rise in temperature. "The disease spreads due to the bites of mosquitoes, flies, fleas, and other insects," she added, "We are conducting a free vaccination campaign reaching every farmer's shed for disease control."

Moreover, 77,500 doses of vaccine have arrived in the district from the Department of Livestock and Fishery Development. The affected cattle show the symptoms as fever, lumps in various parts of the body and internal layers, fluid emanating from the lumps, and abscess formation. 

The Center Chief Bhattarai further shared that this problem was not observed in the cattle that were vaccinated in the past. So, the risk is only significant in the newly born calves and imported cattle. In the current fiscal year 2081/82, they conducted observations at 72 farms in the district to address infertility issues in cattle by organizing integrated camps. 

During the period, 13 households claimed damages to livestock due to natural disasters. Based on those claims, the office has been providing relief amounts ranging from Rs 6,000 to 78,000.

The Senate meeting of the Tribhuvan University has approved the 63rd grace list of 89,191 students for upcoming convocation.

The meeting held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister and TU Chancellor KP Sharma Oli at his official residence in Baluwatar today passed the grace list presented by Registrar Prof Dr Kedar Prasad Rijal.

Similarly, TU's budget and programs for the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26 was also presented in the meeting.

On the occasion, Chancellor Oli urged to establish TU as a competitive and capable university suitable for the 21st century.

Similarly, TU Pro-chancellor and Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Raghuji Pant, stressed that the education sector has a significant role to materialize the national aspiration of 'Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali' and the University should work accordingly.

Newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Deepak Aryal also attended the meeting.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) has reached a preliminary conclusion that Tuesday’s devastating flood from the Lhende Stream in Rasuwa was caused by a supraglacial lake outburst in China.

According to satellite data, the flood was likely triggered by the bursting of a supraglacial lake (a lake formed on top of a glacier), located about 36 kilometers north from the Nepal-China border at Rasuwagadhi (latitude 28.4043, longitude 85.6469), at an altitude of around 5,150 meters.

Before the incident, the lake covered approximately 0.74 square kilometers. After the flood, its area was found to have decreased to around 0.60 square kilometers. This change in size indicates a significant release of water, supporting the conclusion that a lake outburst caused the flood in the Lhende Stream.

Flood expert Binod Parajuli from the Department stated that further information is expected from China and upcoming satellite images will help clarify the details of the incident. The Department will continue its study of the event.

The International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has earlier also suggested that the flood was caused by the outburst of the glacier lake.