Submit your Article

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has said that the country now has an impact of westerly winds and the hilly belt of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces have slight impacts of local winds too. 

The Department said that the temperatures across the country including in the Kathmandu Valley have dropped with the end of the monsoon season.

The minimum temperature of Kathmandu was recorded at 16 degrees Celsius today while the maximum temperature is predicted to remain in between 26 to 28 degrees Celsius. 

According to the Department, the weather is expected to remain partly to generally cloudy in the hilly areas and partly cloudy to mainly fair in the rest of the country. Light rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places in the hilly region of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and at one or two places in the hilly region of the rest of the country.

Likewise, it is predicted that the weather will remain partly to generally cloudy in the hilly areas of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and partly cloudy to mainly fair in the rest of the country.

Light rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at one or two places in the hilly region of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces.

The Police has urged drivers to use alternative routes to the Hetauda-Kulekhani-Phakhel-Kathmandu road as the road has been disrupted at a place called Heavy at Indrasarobar Mural municipality-2 and 3.

Police Inspector at the Area Police Office Bhimphedi, Lalita Dhakal said that drivers are advised to use the Tribhuvan highway and Kanti highway while traveling from Hetauda to Kathmandu. She said that the road near Heavy uphill near Simkhola, Kulekhani has been damaged to the point that even light vehicles cannot climb the slope.

In view of this, the local police have been guiding the vehicles from Bhainse towards Kathmandu via Palung of the Tribhuvan highway, Inspector Dhakal said.

Due to incessant rainfall, the supply of fresh vegetables in Kathmandu has drastically reduced. According to data from the Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market Development Committee, the daily import of 600 to 700 tons of vegetables has now been limited to 150 tons. As the supply decreases, there are signs that prices will rise.

On Sept 27, 571,912 kilograms of vegetables were imported to Kalimati, the main market for vegetables brought in from outside. However, on Sept 28, only 156,992 kilograms of fresh vegetables arrived, marking a 72.56 percent reduction. Binay Shrestha, the Information Officer of the Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market Development Committee, stated that while the usual daily intake is around 700 tons, it has now dropped to just 100 to 150 tons.

He explained, “The demand from consumers remains the same, but when the supply weakens, prices are naturally affected. The prices of fresh vegetables have increased, though the prices of potatoes and onions have not risen as much.” Shrestha added that if the shortage persists, prices will continue to be impacted.

Which vegetable supply has decreased?

In the Kalimati market, the supply of small tomatoes, red potatoes, dried onions, cabbage, brinjal, beans, bitter gourd, sponge gourd, okra, spinach, mushrooms, cucumber, ginger, chilies, and green coriander has significantly decreased.

Compared to the previous day, these vegetables have seen reductions of up to 96.77 percent. Capsicum is in particularly short supply. On Sept 27, 1,550 kilograms of mutton chilies were brought to Kalimati, but only 50 kilograms arrived on the 28th, with the average price at Rs 125 per kilogram.

With the reduced supply in Kalimati, a wider shortage has begun. In addition to fresh vegetables, the entry of red potatoes and dried onions has also fallen, with decreases of 67.21 percent and 63.17 percent, respectively. The wholesale price of red potatoes now averages Rs 78 per kilogram, while dried onions are priced around Rs 119. The supply of small tomatoes has dropped by 4.66 percent, with only 14,625 kilograms being imported, compared to 15,340 kilograms the previous day. Its price has risen to Rs 100 per kilogram.

Other fresh vegetables have seen similar declines: cabbage by 93 percent, brinjal by 86.40 percent, peas by 75.22 percent, chickpeas by 54.33 percent, sponge gourd by 95.14 percent, okra by 91.16 percent, spinach by 35.66 percent, mushrooms by 87.83 percent, cucumber by 90.17 percent, ginger by 40 percent, and green coriander by 94.33 percent.

Despite these reductions, the supply of snake gourd, green pumpkin, chayote, tofu, and green chilies has increased at a good pace. With these vegetables in peak season, their prices remain relatively low. Green pumpkin, for instance, is being sold at wholesale prices of Rs 50 to Rs 60 per kilogram.

Minister’s directive to collect data on agricultural damage

Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Ramnath Adhikari has directed ministry officials to formulate a new strategy after assessing the damage caused by recent floods in the agricultural sector.

In an emergency meeting held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development on Sunday, the minister urged the swift collection of data on the damage inflicted by Saturday’s floods.

The minister emphasized, “It has been reported that the floods have severely impacted agricultural production, and this needs to be addressed.” The ministry has decided to promptly gather accurate data on the damage and develop a corresponding strategy.

This summer, Kathmandu experienced its highest temperature ever recorded. The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DHM) reported a scorching temperature of 35.3°C on June 15. The city is urbanizing at an annual rate of four percent, and its built-up area has grown to almost four times its size since the mid-1980s. Consequently, the risks associated with the Urban Heat Island effect are also increasing. Research by Mishra et al. (2019) indicated a 5°C temperature variation between forest land and developed land in the Kathmandu Valley. As rapid population growth and unplanned urbanization continue in the valley, the temperature difference is also expected to increase.

Urban Heat Island, or UHI, is a phenomenon where urban areas experience considerably higher temperatures than their surrounding rural areas. The main causes of UHIs include anthropogenic factors, heat absorption by urban infrastructure, and the albedo effect. The albedo effect is a measure of how reflective a surface is. Darker surfaces absorb more heat and release it back into the atmosphere, while lighter surfaces reflect heat away. Therefore, as cities replace natural landscapes with buildings, roads and pavement, which absorb and retain heat, the overall temperature increases. The impacts of UHIs are far-reaching, including air pollution, higher energy consumption, disruption of urban ecosystems and adverse health outcomes, especially for vulnerable populations such as the marginalized, elderly, and urban poor.  

In a country where urban poverty has increased from 15.46 percent in 2010-11 to 18.34 percent in 2022-23, and where the Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s handling of the urban poor has been condemned by Human Rights Watch, critical questions arise—How will the rights of street vendors, landless individuals, slum dwellers and other vulnerable groups be safeguarded amidst rising temperatures? 

Additionally, with heat-related illnesses expected to increase due to the UHI effect, it is crucial to assess whether the healthcare system in Nepal is prepared to handle the added pressure. Will vulnerable groups, with their limited capacities, have access to essential health services, adequate housing, a decent standard of living and an overall quality of life, or will they continue to be mistreated? Despite global awareness regarding UHIs, the concerned authorities in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City are yet to acknowledge the alarming rise in temperatures this summer.

In contrast to this local inaction, cities around the world are actively addressing the UHI effect with innovative solutions. For example, Indian cities like Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Jodhpur and Surat have introduced cool roofs-roofs covered with reflective materials that bring down temperatures inside and outside buildings. Applying white reflective paint on roofs is a simple yet effective strategy that has seen widespread adoption globally. 

Abu Dhabi has introduced self-shading tower blocks, Medellin has developed extensive green corridors, Paris is creating cool islands, Seville has implemented a policy of shade and Singapore boasts of its renowned Gardens by the Bay. These diverse approaches demonstrate how cities are dealing with the UHI effect based on their unique environments and challenges.

In response to escalating temperatures, cities are also appointing Chief Heat Officers (CHOs) – a term coined by a branch of the American think tank Atlantic Council called the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center (Arsht-Rock). CHOs are responsible for developing and implementing strategies to combat extreme heat, protect vulnerable populations and enhance urban resilience to rising temperatures. Miami paved the way by appointing the world’s first CHO, and other cities, such as Phoenix, Athens, Freetown, and Dhaka North followed suit. Notably, Dhaka North was the first Asian city to appoint a CHO.

While cities worldwide, including those in South Asia, are making commendable strides in addressing UHIs, Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s lackluster approach to this issue is highly concerning. Kathmandu must learn from other cities and implement targeted strategies to mitigate the UHI effect or face intensified challenges in the coming years. The rising temperatures in Kathmandu represent the broader challenges posed by global warming, climate change and increased urbanization. These issues demand urgent attention, action and innovative solutions from policymakers, urban planners and the general public.

While initiatives such as Urban Green Spaces (UGS), tree plantations and community-managed forests are underway, a significant gap remains in addressing and raising public awareness on UHIs. Comprehensive research, robust satellite-based data collection and substantial evidence are essential to guide sustainable urban planning. Given the pace and scale of urbanization, the government of Nepal must step up its efforts in urban governance and take appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures by coordinating with relevant ministries and departments to plan greener, smarter and liveable cities. This involves prioritizing the conservation of natural resources and natural heat sinks, investing in alternative energy solutions, and implementing innovative strategies to enhance urban resilience. It is also crucial that policies and plans be grounded in a deep understanding of the local context, addressing challenges facing vulnerable groups, and ensuring that no one is left behind.

The author holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy

One of the most serious and infectious diseases that is waterborne, cholera has resurfaced in Nepal this monsoon also, infecting 16 individuals in three districts thus far, according to health authorities.

Lalitpur, so far, has the highest number of cases (8), followed by Kailali (5) and Kathmandu (3), according to the Ministry of Health and Population. At first, a person based in Godavari, Lalitpur, was referred to the Teku Hospital in Kathmandu on the basis of symptoms and the case was confirmed 72 hours later.

According to Spokesperson for the ministry, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, contaminated water and filthy surroundings are the primary causes of cholera. “Contaminated water causes several diseases. Drinking boiled water can keep such diseases at bay,” he said, stressing the need to raise awareness about the importance of drinking boiled water. He said treatment is available at Teku Hospital and other hospitals.

In 2022, the Kathmandu valley witnessed 77 confirmed cases of cholera. In the wake of a cholera outbreak in ward numbers 11, 12 and 13 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City in 2023, concerned ward offices administered oral cholera vaccine in coordination with public health authorities. 

This waterborne disease, caused by Vibrio cholera and coliform bacteria, affects all age groups, though older people and newborns with lower immune systems are particularly susceptible. 

An inadequate sanitation system and poor hygiene are mainly behind cholera in Nepal. Rainwater and leftover water may also contain cholera-causing bacteria. 

Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, chief of the Clinical Research Unit at Sukraraj Hospital, highlights the importance of maintaining the quality of water for curbing waterborne diseases. Ensuring water quality is a basic duty of concerned authorities, he says: Such essential services should not be halted under any pretext.

“Only 80 percent of the patients show clear and common symptoms of cholera whereas 20 percent show rapid symptoms. Cholera can prove fatal if the patient is not rushed to the nearest hospital on time,” according to Budhathoki. 

So, taking a cue from symptoms, there is an urgent need to rush the affected people to nearest health facilities. Administering oral rehydration salt powder like Jeevan Jal from time to time is crucial for saving the patients’ lives. 

Hospitals in Nepal are well-equipped to deal with the cases of cholera and the health ministry is prepared to supply essential facilities and materials to deal with the disease, according to officials.

Three persons have been detected with cholera in Kathmandu on Sunday.

The persons from Kalimati area were tested positive for cholera bacteria at the National Public Health Laboratory, Teku.

Chief of Health Office in Kathmandu, Dr Arjun Sapkota, informed that those suffering from the disease were receiving treatment at Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital.

"A team has been mobilized to study how the bacteria-borne disease was spread. We're alert on not letting it spread further," Dr Sapkota added.

Earlier, seven persons were detected with cholera in a correction center of Lalitpur.

The disease might have spread due to consumption of contaminated water in the wake of monsoon rains.

A few days back, polio was found at Teku, a confluence of Tukucha rivulet and the Bagmati River in the Kathmandu Valley.

The doctors have urged everyone to maintain proper hygiene with consumption of pure drinking water and sanitation in place.

Diarrhoea, nausea, dehydration, yellow urine, and sunken eyes are some of the symptoms of cholera. If the persons suffering from these symptoms are not treated on time, they may succumb to it.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has seen mixed progress in Nepal since the two countries signed the agreement in 2017. A common narrative suggests that no significant projects have been completed under the BRI framework, leading many foreign policy observers to conclude that China has not succeeded in expanding its influence in Kathmandu, largely due to implicit pressure from the West and India. 

Nevertheless, the implementation of BRI remains a top agenda item in interactions between representatives of the Communist Party of China and Nepal’s political parties, especially the communist ones, which have expressed dissatisfaction over the perceived slow progress.

From the Chinese perspective, several soft and hard projects launched in Nepal fall under the broader BRI framework. However, China is pushing for the implementation of more infrastructure projects, as globally, the BRI is perceived mainly as an infrastructure initiative. 

Beyond BRI, China’s reach and influence in Nepal have significantly expanded across various sectors—from education to security, from village to national levels, and from electric vehicles to airline companies. Recent interactions even include the judiciary and parliament, with notable exchanges of visits between officials from both countries.

In November last year, Nepal’s Chief Justice Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha visited China, followed by a reciprocal visit this week by Liu Guixian, a senior justice of the Supreme People’s Court of China. Senior leaders from Nepal’s National Assembly and the Speaker of the House of Representatives have also visited China in recent years.

Recent examples of China-Nepal cooperation include Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song’s participation in multiple events. These events illustrate China’s diverse offerings to Nepal, such as organizing the first intra-party school Chinese pop dance competition involving students from 13 primary and secondary schools, and a cardiovascular screening program by specialists from Fuwai Yunnan Hospital, which provided screenings for 4,682 Nepali children diagnosed with congenital cardiovascular disease, offering them free treatment in China.

Additionally, China has resumed the China Higher Level Education Fair, halted for two decades, and Nepal’s colleges and universities are increasingly offering Chinese language courses. The number of scholarships for Nepali students to study in China has also increased, as has the participation of Nepali bureaucrats going to China for education. Beyond education and health, China is also interested in importing Nepali tea, and the two countries are working on petroleum product collaborations. These are just some instances where there is a long list of new areas of collaboration between the two countries. 

For a long time, Western and European countries have been expanding their influence in Nepal through non-governmental organizations. Now Chinese non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are also becoming more active in Nepal. The China Foundation for Rural Development (CFRD), for instance, has been working in the areas of health, education, and other social issues, particularly in the Tarai region. Recently, CFRD provided aid to fire-affected people in the Mahottari district but this is not the first time. CFRD has been providing support in Madhes region since 2015 and it continues to expand. 

China has developed networks and projects to engage with all segments of Nepali society, and Ambassador Song has been instrumental in enhancing bilateral engagement through active social media presence and interactions with media personnel.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha has been a strong supporter of bilateral projects, frequently attending events organized by the Chinese Embassy and other Chinese-funded local organizations. Shrestha is notably the only minister in the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government, who has been consistently pushing for the signing of the BRI implementation plan, which remains pending.

As China aspires to engage more with Nepal, bilateral visits are expanding, with politicians from various levels visiting China. But it is noteworthy that visits by leaders from the Nepali Congress (NC) are fewer compared to those from communist parties. This could be due to fewer invitations from China or a lack of interest from senior NC leaders. Despite this, both Chinese and NC leaders acknowledge the historical role of bilateral relations, often referencing BP Koirala’s contributions from the 1960s.In summary, while progress on the BRI in Nepal may have been slow, overall Chinese engagement in the country has picked up speed, balancing hard and soft power. The Nepal-China border, which had been largely closed since 2015 and further impacted by Covid-19, has recently reopened, facilitating increased movement of people and goods. This week, the two countries are holding their 16th Secretary-level meeting to review the entire bilateral relationship. To measure China's influence in Nepal solely through the BRI lens is to overlook the broader picture. 

Presently there is an influence of the monsoon system in the eastern part of the country. In the rest of the country, there is a partial influence of local and westerly winds.

The weather will be partly to generally cloudy in the hilly regions, including Koshi, Madhes and Bagmati Provinces while it will remain clear in the rest of the part.

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, light rain with thunder and lightning is taking place at some places of Koshi Province. Meteorologist at the Department, Govinda Jha said scattered rainfall is likely to occur at some places in the Kathmandu Valley this afternoon due to the influence of the local wind.

However, the temperature will remain high. It will take a few more days for the monsoon to arrive. The maximum temperature is likely to stand between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius.

The weather will be partly to generally cloudy in the hilly regions of Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and fair in the rest of the country this afternoon. Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at some places of the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, the weather will be partly to generally cloudy in the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces tonight.

Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and at one or two places of the rest of the country.

Similarly, there is a possibility of wind storm in some places of Koshi and Madhes Provinces.

In the next 24 hours, light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and at one or two places of the rest of the country.

The Department has urged the people to remain alert as there is a possibility of storm in some places of the Tarai of Koshi Province and Madhes Province.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said that currently the country has witnessed partial influence of local and westerly winds along with low- pressure systems prevailing around Bihar of India.

The weather according to the department will be generally cloudy in Koshi, Madhes and Bagmati Provinces while it will largely remain clear in the rest of the country.

Light rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is taking place at one or two places in Koshi Province. The weather will be partly to generally cloudy in the hilly regions of the country including Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and fair in the rest of the country this afternoon.

Light rain accompanied by lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and at one or two places of the hilly regions of Madhes and Lumbini Provinces.

Light snowfall is likely to occur at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces.

Similarly, the weather will be partly to generally cloudy in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces tonight. Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and at one or two places of Lumbini province, according to the weather forecast bulletin published by the Department at 6.00 am today.

In the next 24 hours, light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and at one or two places of Lumbini Province.

There is a possibility of light snowfall at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, there will be light rain accompanied by thunder and lightning in the Kathmandu Valley this afternoon. The maximum temperature of Kathmandu will remain between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius.

The weather is partly to mostly cloudy in hilly areas including Koshi and Sudurpaschim Provinces, and mostly clear in the rest of the country today.

This is due to the partial effect of local winds, westerly winds as well as the low-pressure system around Bihar in India, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.

Later this afternoon, the weather will be partly to mostly cloudy in the hilly parts of the country including Koshi region and mostly clear in the rest of the country. There is a possibility of light rain with thunder and lightning in some places of the Koshi region.

Tonight, the weather will remain partly to mostly cloudy in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and clear in the remaining parts of the country. There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at some places in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and one or two places in the hilly regions of Lumbini.

In the next 24 hours, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning in some places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and one or two places in the hilly parts of Lumbini province.

Meanwhile, the temperature in Kathmandu Valley continues to rise with the temperature today expected to be between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius at the maximum.

On Tuesday, the temperature was 28.5 degrees Celsius and increased to 33.3 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.

Their faces look exhausted from hunger, thirst and lack of sleep. Blisters have formed on their soles, and they can barely stand. Yet a group of ordinary citizens has walked all the way to Kathmandu for 25 days from Madhes, carrying empty buckets on their heads.

Battling the rains, spending nights on the streets and struggling against, 25 people from Madhes have come to Kathmandu to draw the attention of the authorities toward the drying up of water sources due to exploitation of Chure. At the call of Nepal River and Forest Conservation Campaign these people began their march from Bhardaha in Saptari through Bardibas of Mahottari, Hetauda, and Narayanghat to Kathmandu to draw the government’s attention for ending Chure exploitation.

There have even been instances where those protesting against Chure exploitation were attacked and killed by unscrupulous people exploiting natural resources. Four years ago, river activist Dilip (Omprakash) Mahato was murdered by people unlawfully extracting sand. Due to such incidents, many people are afraid to protest. The victims say people operating crusher plants threaten dissenters that they will also meet the fate of Dilip Kumar.

‘No water to quench our thirst’

Sangita Devi Sada’s home in Matiarwa in Lahan Municipality-2, Siraha, is at the foot of the Chure hills. Her family of six sustains itself on daily wages. A few greedy people are extracting river materials, causing the entire village to suffer the consequences, she shared. “The crusher operators are mining the rivers dry. First, the rivers dried up. Then the water vanished from our ponds,” Sangita said. “Now there isn’t even enough water in the village to quench our thirst. Without water, how can we grow crops?”

Until two decades ago, the rivers and streams in Sangita’s village would flow year round. But for the last two years, as soon as the dry season arrives, they struggle even for drinking water. 

“These unscrupulous people have turned the hills, rivers and streams into barren land through excessive extraction,” she lamented. “First, the ponds dried up. The springs went dry next, and water levels in wells depleted. Now, the river itself has dried up.”

Should people go in search of water to quench their thirst or seek employment to satisfy their hunger? This dilemma has entrapped the disadvantaged and marginalized families of Sangita and others like them. Not just her, but 6.12m people in the Madhes province are suffering from problems arising due to the exploitation of Chure. “As the local government, police, administration and leaders all seem to be siding with the Chure exploiters, people like Sangita from Madhes have come to Kathmandu to plead with the central government,” said Sunil Yadav, chairperson of the campaign.

This is the first time that Sangita has undertaken such an arduous journey in her life. On reaching the Maitighar Mandala last week, she shared her near-death experience. “Our ancestors never had to undertake such a huge march of suffering just for water. I cannot imagine what lies in store for the coming generations,” she said. “My feet are covered in blisters. I can barely walk. Whom do I share this suffering with? Who will listen to us?”

Even the Kamala River is drying up

The government has launched a national pride program for the conservation of Chure. But the program has failed to achieve targeted goals. The President Tarai Madhes River Conservation Development Project has been running for over a decade, with billions spent. However, the water reservoirs formed by rivers are depleting due to rampant illegal mining and encroachment.

Caught in this quagmire is Sonabatti Mukhiya (70) of Kanchanrup Municipality-7 in Dhanusa. At an age when she should be resting, she has walked hundreds of kilometers from rural Madhes to Kathmandu in search of water. This is her first time seeing Kathmandu.

Sonabatti is worried that the Kamala River, which flowed year-round in the past, is now drying up. “The perennially flowing Kamala River has started drying up. It is becoming unrecognizable,” she said. “They are bringing huge tippers and excavators to extract sand and boulders at night. The police just watch. They are all hand-in-glove. If this is not stopped, the Kamala River will soon vanish without a trace.”

Where has the water disappeared?

Wells, ponds, and lakes are drying up. Since last year, even rivers and streams have started drying up. Tankers are supplying water to the villages, say the victims.

“How do we survive now?” lamented Maina Devi Sada (45) of Matiarwa in Lahan Municipality-2, Siraha. “We only hear the swishing sound in the handpump in our courtyards. Where has the water disappeared?”

After the handpumps dried up, new taps were installed in homes. But these taps trickle only in the mornings and evenings, shared Mainadevi. “How do we quench our thirst? It seems both food and water will become scarce. What is the government doing?” she questioned. “How do we cook? How do we feed our children? How do we bathe ourselves and the cattle?”

Chure expert Dr Bijaya Kumar Singh said groundwater in Madhes isn't getting recharged due to Chure exploitation.

With rivers and streams drying up, people have not been able to irrigate their farmland. The green paddy fields swaying in the breeze now lie barren. “The streams have dried up so much that when someone in the village dies, there is not even a drop of water for cremation rituals,” Mainadevi added.

Police have arrested six persons on the charge of murdering police Constable Yuva Raj Ghimire.

The District Police Range, Kathmandu made them public by organizing a press conference today.

SP Nawaraj Adhikari, who is also the spokesperson at the District Police Range, Kathmandu, informed that police Constable Ghimire of Majuwagadhi Rural Municipality-1, Khotang was found dead under mysterious circumstances at an under construction house in Manamaiju, Tarkeshwor-9, Kathmandu.

He was deployed at the Metropolitan Traffic Police Circle, Durbarmarg.

I’ve always loved eating out. I mean, who doesn’t, right? You have a variety of choices, and it’s quick and hassle-free, unlike cooking which can be a painstaking affair. Also, the mushrooming of restaurants in Kathmandu and Lalitpur means you don’t have to go far from home or your workplace to find a nice place. Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and Thai, the options are endless. Restaurants have also gotten good at promotions on social media. You see a lot of food content that it’s impossible not to want to check them out for yourself. That is how I recently found myself at the rooftop of a newly opened beer bar in town and for lunch at another café nearby in the same week.

When I first started working, I used to spend a good chunk of my salary eating out, even if I regretted it later and vouched to do better—meaning eat the meals my mom made at home more than I dined at restaurants. But the lure of pizza, momos, and burgers were often too great to ignore. Looking back, I think I ate out almost every other day. There was always one excuse or another—a friend to meet, a new place to try out, or a craving that just had to be satiated right then and there.

My mother, a medical doctor, often asked me to refrain from eating fried foods at restaurants as she didn’t like the fact that most eateries reused oil while cooking. I recall she used to tell her patients that many of their health issues were because of the bad food they were consuming. She still says that. As most teenagers or young adults, I agreed to stick to momos or non-fried items just to get her off my case. Eating out always meant indulging in fried food and various sugary concoctions. The need to eat out was made worse by the fact that, in Kathmandu, going out with friends generally meant chilling at restaurants. Things are slowly changing but I feel there still isn’t all that much to do. But then, restaurants are everywhere.

Fast forward almost two decades later, I still get attracted by discount offers and promises of a refreshing new cocktail. There was a time when my husband and I had sort of made a pact to eat at a new restaurant every week. We had decided not to go to the ones we usually went to but to try out new places. However, my husband and I have now drastically cut down on eating out. We’ve done so for multiple reasons but primarily because of quality inconsistencies at restaurants.

Many times, we have gone to restaurants to have a particular dish and found that the taste changed every time. It’s so disappointing. We attribute this to changing cooks as people migrate abroad for better opportunities or the restaurant’s lack of quality checks. This one time I ordered pancakes at a café I loved near my home in Lalitpur, and it was quite literally just flour and water. It tasted like rubber. When I complained, they said it was how it has always been. But the pancakes there used to be fluffy, thick, and sweet. I have since then stopped going there and started making pancakes at home. It’s cheaper. I have control over the ingredients and I love that. And it tastes way better, if I may say so myself.

Another time, a friend and I had pizza at a popular pizza place and we could barely lift the slice without half of it dropping onto our plates as the cheese was heavy and melting. The crust to cheese ratio was totally off and we had ordered a pizza we usually shared. That wasn’t how it was supposed to be. The staff, however, were apologetic and asked us if we would like another. But our appetites and moods were ruined.

Eating out has become an ordeal, and not the exciting adventure it used to be. It has also become a whole lot more expensive than before. Most restaurants have hiked the prices with no reason or explanation whatsoever. In many places, the prices have gone up and the portion size has been reduced. The food also feels stale sometimes. A few friends own restaurants and cafes and we know they batch make and freeze curries and pies to be used for a few days.  

During the Covid-19 lockdowns my husband and I found ourselves replicating the food we had at restaurants at home and discovered that we could make most of the things at less than a quarter of the price. There are plenty of resources like BuzzFeed Tasty and YouTube that can teach you to whip up gourmet dishes in no time at all. By choosing to eat out less often, we have cut down on our food expenses as well as ensured that the food we eat is nourishing and fresh.

Kathmandu's Air Quality Index has reached 177 to be ranked the world's second most polluted city after New Delhi of India.

Last Thursday, Kathmandu's AQI was 168 and it measured 195 on Wednesday and 185 on Saturday.

New Delhi's AQI has reached 245 while Beijing, China has been listed as the third most polluted city in the world with an AQI of 172, it is stated.

The main contributors to air pollution include carbon emissions from vehicles, dust from road repairs and construction, emissions from industries and brick kilns, poor waste management practices, and forest fires. Addressing these issues systematically is needed, according to experts concerned.

Cases of forest fires and fire are prevalent presently and it has led to an increase in air pollution besides the loss of lives and properties. The Department of Environment said the Satellite data shows that as of now there are 1,653 cases of wildfire and fire since the beginning of the year 2024.

AQI from 0-50 is considered good for public health as it is indicated by a green signal while 51-100 is moderate and marked by yellow, but it still warns us to be careful on time.

It is unhealthy specifically for sensitive groups such as those who have respiratory and cardiac issues if measured from 101-150 and is highlighted by orange. 

Similarly, AQI from 151-200 is indicated by red to suggest that it is unhealthy for all, 201-300 is highlighted by purple and it is very unhealthy.  If it is measured 301-400, it is hazardous and 401-500 is highly hazardous to health and it is denoted by maroon.

Kathmandu, the federal capital of Nepal, has been ranked the world's most polluted city again.

According to the data of the Air Quality Index today, Kathmandu's overall AQI has reached 162 while Chiang Mai city of Thailand is in the second position and Medan of Indonesia has been identified as the world's third most polluted city.

According to the people concerned, air pollution is soaring in Kathmandu due to rising incidents of forest fire amidst the increasing temperature.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, today, recorded 165 incidents of forest fire in 39 districts across the country.

According to wildfire expert Sundar Sharma, the increasing number of forest fires has contributed to air pollution in major cities of the country including the federal capital.  If there is no rainfall in the next few days, it will be challenging to contain the forest fire and reduce air pollution, according to him.

Meteorologist Govinda Jha said there are no chances of rainfall immediately despite a brief rain in some parts.

Disaster management expert Dr Dharma Raj Upreti said AQI from 0-50 is considered good for public health as it is indicated by a green signal while 51-100 is moderate and marked by yellow, but it still warns us to be careful on time.

It is unhealthy specifically for sensitive groups such as those who have respiratory and cardiac issues if measured from 101-150 and is highlighted by orange. 

Similarly, AQI from 151-200 is indicated by red to suggest that it is unhealthy for all, 201-300 is highlighted by purple and it is very unhealthy.  If it is measured 301-400, it is hazardous and 401-500 is highly hazardous and they are denoted by maroon.

Air Quality Management Action Plan for the Kathmandu Valley, 2076 BS considers the situation measuring AQI above 300 as a disaster.

Properties worth millions of rupees were destroyed when a fire broke in Sankhamul, Kathmandu on Sunday.

Police said that five shops were reduced to ashes and a house suffered partial damages in the fire that broke out near Dobhan Bridge in Sankhamul, Kathmandu today.

The fire was taken under control with the help of fire engines from Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and locals.

Full details of the damage caused by the fire are yet to come, police said.