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Nepal reported 435 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday.

According to the Ministry of Health and Population, 1, 667 swab samples were tested in the RT-PCR method, of which 317 returned positive. Likewise, 1, 092 people underwent antigen tests, of which 18 were tested positive.

The Ministry said that no one died of the virus in the last 24 hours. 

As of today, there are 2, 537 active cases in the country.

Transport service has come to a halt on the Melamchi-Helambu road section when the rain-triggered flood since last night took away its parts in several places. 

Balsit Khadka, a local, said the flood has devastated the road that was reconstructed following the massive flood at Chanaute, Helambu last year. 

Shyammani Chalise, a local of Melamchi, said the road traffic was also disrupted at Dhungebazar of Helambu and Simkhel in Melamchi. 

Locals of the areas including Gyalthum of Helambu were forced to stay outside the home during last night due to incessant rain. 

Downpour was reported in and around Nakote near the Melamchi Rivulet in Sindhupalchowk district last night. 

Local Administration has urged local dwellers to stay alert in view of possible landslides on the banks of Melamchi and steep land with the rise in water level. 

Thirty-nine various human rights organizations have called for rectifying the 'lapses' in the Bill for the Amendment of the Commission of the Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act, 2071 (2014) that the Government of Nepal registered in the parliament on 15 July 2022. 

These human rights organizations have also expressed full solidarity with the 'valid and serious concerns' expressed by the victims’ community on the Bill.

"We believe that despite positive provisions including reparations, the amendment Bill contains many provisions that violate the victim’s right to an effective remedy. Amnesty to those involved in serious violations of human rights and international crimes including murder, torture, rape, and other forms of serious sexual violence, war crimes, and crimes against humanity is not acceptable under national and international law. 

Thus, the categorization of violations in the Bill is not acceptable. Earnest effort is required from the Government and the political parties to prevent explicit or implicit immunity from criminal accountability for those involved in serious violations of human rights and intentional crimes," the 39 human rights organizations said in a joint press release.

They called on the Ministry to re-work on the Bill to ensure that the Bill complies with national, international law and the decisions of the Supreme Court of Nepal, and the aspirations expressed by victims during the consultations the sovereign institution of the people's representatives. Similarly, the Federal Parliament is urged not to pass the Bill as the law without ensuring that the Bill does not violate national and international law and aspiration of victims while the political parties of Nepal have been urged to play constructive roles helping parliament to pass the law following inclusive process while the UN and Nepal’s international development partners are urged not to legitimatize and support any process that undermines international law and further impunity in Nepal.

Among the 39 organizations issuing the joint press release include the Accountability Watch Committee (AWC), Advocacy Forum Nepal, Alliance for Social Dialogue, Amnesty International Nepal,  Blue Diamond Society- Nepal,  Centre for Legal Studies, Civil Rights Association Nepal, Collective Campaign for Peace, Conflict Victim Women National Network (CVWNN), Conflict Victims’ Common Platform (CVCP), Conflict Victims’ National Alliance (CVNA), Conflict Victims’ Society for Justice (CVSJ), Democratic Freedom and Human Rights Institute (DFHRI), Discharged People’s Liberation Army Nepal (D-PLAN), Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), Forum for Restorative Justice, National Network of Disabled Conflict Victims, National Network of Families of Disappeared (NEFAD) and the National Network of Families of Disappeared (NEFAD).

Lightning strikes have left 14 people dead and 16 others injured in various parts of Uttar Pradesh, officials said here, PTI reported.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of those who were killed in the lightning strikes on Wednesday.

According to the details provided by the relief commissioner’s office, four deaths due to lightning were reported from Banda, two from Fatehpur and one each from Balrampur, Chandauli, Bulandshahr, Rae Bareli, Amethi, Kaushambi, Sultanpur and Chitrakoot districts.

Adityanath condoled the loss of lives and directed officials to ensure proper treatment is provided to the injured, the officials said.