Submit your Article

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled and trains suspended as gales hit Beijing and northern China on Saturday.

By 11:30 local time (03:30 GMT) on Saturday, 838 flights had been cancelled at the capital's two major airports, according to the news agency Reuters.

Beijing declared its first orange-level wind warning in a decade as a Mongolian cold vortex triggered extreme gusts (levels 11-13), toppling 300 trees, damaging vehicles, and disrupting airport express subways and high-speed rail, Reuters reported.

The strong winds are from a cold vortex system over Mongolia and are expected to last through the weekend.

There is influence of Westerly and local wind across the country at present. Along with this, there is also the influence of the moisture-laden wind entering the country from the Arabian Sea, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division. 

The weather will be partly to generally cloudy in the hilly region and mainly fair in the rest of the regions. Light to moderate rainfall is predicted at a few places of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces while light to moderate precipitation accompanied by thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of the hilly region of the country including in Sudurpaschim, Karnali and Lumbini Provinces and at one or two places of the rest of the regions today. 

Similarly, there is a possibility of light rain and snowfall at a few places in the high hilly and mountainous region of the country today.

The Meteorological Forecasting Division also stated that the haze that is prevalent throughout the country at present will gradually start dissipating.

The Division has called for taking necessary measures and precautions to avoid the effects of thunderstorm, lightning and rain and snowfall that could affect health, daily life, agriculture and road and air transport.

Biska, the cultural and historical festival, which is exclusively observed in Bhaktapur, formally began today. 

Devotees have flocked to Taumadhi to pay homage to the deity Bhairav since the morning marking the commencement of the festival. 

After the worship to Bhairav concludes, the chariot procession of the Bhairav will begin, it is said. 

The Biska festival commenced with the towing of the Chariot of Bhairav after performing all the associated customary rituals.

 The idols of Bhairav and Betal are installed in the chariot along with the sword and flag brought from Hanumandhoka in Kathmandu.

The chariot is pulled in a procession from local Taumadhi to Gahiti.

The festival is observed in a grand way for eight nights and nine days with the celebrations of various rituals including the Sindur Jatra and the tongue-piercing ceremony. 

Durga Prasai, who was arrested from Assam, India, has been brought to Kathmandu on Friday.

He was brought to Kathmandu by Buddha Air from Bhadrapur Airport, who was earlier brought to Jhapa via Kakadbhitta border point directly from Assam.

Metropolitan Police Range, Kathmandu spokesperson Apil Raj Bohara informed that Prasai will be taken to the court for the extension of his custody to investigate the charges of committing crime against the State and organized crime.

Prasai, who had led the violent pro-monarchy protest in Tinkune on March 28, was apprehended from Assam with the help of Indian police and brought to Jhapa this morning.

Before bringing him to the airport, he was kept at the District Police Office, Jhapa.

Prasai’s bodyguard Deepak Khadka, who was detained along with him, was also brought to Kathmandu.

Controversial medial entrepreneur Prasai, who played a key role in instigating violence in the name of royalists in Tikune on March 28, claimed that he has surrendered to the Indian police.

He claimed through social media that he has turned himself in to the Indian police.

A few days ago, a team of Nepal Police had left for India to search Prasai.

He mentioned on social media that he surrendered to the Indian police at 9:13 pm after the guarantee of safety.

The pro-monarchy supporters had vandalized and torched commercial buildings and also attacked the office of Annapurna Media Network and other media outlets.

Two persons—photo journalist Suresh Rajak and Sabin Maharjan of Kirtipur had lost their lives and 129 others were injured during the violent protest.

Police have rounded up dozens in connection with the violence including Rastriya Prajatantra Party Vice Chairman Rabindra Mishra and General Secretary Dhawal Shamsher Rana.