September 29: Snapshot of today's main news

Kathmandu, September 29 — In this section, we present the key headlines of the day. If you've been busy and missed the news, we’ve got you covered. Here are the highlights.

170 killed in monsoon-induced disaster: Home Ministry

The Home Ministry has stated that 170 people have died due to floods and landslides caused by the rain starting Thursday. In a press conference held on Sunday night, the ministry also mentioned that 42 people are missing and 111 have been injured.

Spokesperson Rishiram Tiwari informed that all security agencies have been mobilized for search, rescue, and relief operations, and approximately 4,000 disaster-affected individuals have been rescued so far.

Jhyaple Khola tragedy: 35 bodies retrieved so far

Rescue operations are ongoing for those trapped in the landslide at Jhyaple Khola in Ward No. 9 of Dhunibesi Municipality. So far, 35 bodies have been recovered from the landslide debris.

According to the police, 14 bodies were found on Saturday, while the remaining bodies were recovered on Sunday.

The police confirmed that a microbus and a bus have been located in the landslide area. Rescue efforts continue for those still trapped, and 26 bodies have been sent to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for post-mortem.

Water levels in rivers across Nepal exceed danger mark

The water levels in various rivers across the country have crossed the danger mark. According to data from Sunday evening at 6 PM, the water levels in six different locations are above the danger threshold.

According to the Flood Forecasting Division, the water level of the Manohara River in Balkumari, Kathmandu, is above the danger level. Similarly, in Khokana, Lalitpur, the Bagmati River has also surpassed the danger mark, although the water level there is in the process of decreasing.

In addition, the Arun and Tamor rivers in Dhankuta, as well as the Sunkoshi River in Sindhuli and Bhojpur, have water levels above the danger threshold. The Bagmati River in Makwanpur and the Sunkoshi River in Sindhupalchowk also show high water levels.

Oli leaves the U.S. for Doha, heads back to Nepal

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli embarked on a return journey to the country after participating in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

He departed from the United States for Doha, Qatar, on Sunday. From Doha, he will land at Tribhuvan International Airport.

Oli left for the U.S. on September 20. He addressed the UN General Assembly on September 26.

There was some criticism regarding his delays in returning home amidst the floods and landslides, as he engaged in several meetings and interactions. However, he is returning according to his pre-scheduled program.

NC Central Working Committee issues 15-point decision

The central working committee meeting of the ruling party, Nepali Congress, has made a 15-point decision. According to party’s acting chief secretary Pradeep Parajuli, the meeting held at party president Sher Bahadur Deuba's residence on Sunday morning made various decisions in 15 points.

The meeting has urged the government to focus on the rescue and relief distribution for the people affected by floods, landslides, and inundation.

Landslide cleared at Jhyaple Khola; Highway reopens in Dhunibesi

The landslide at the Jhyaple Khola in Ward No. 9 of Dhading's Dhunibesi Municipality has been cleared. Assistant Spokesperson of the Armed Police Force, Shailendra Thapa, informed that the road in the area has been reopened for two-way traffic following the removal of the landslide.

He mentioned that the road was opened at 7:30 AM after the landslide was cleared.

The road had been blocked since Saturday.

Traffic restrictions lifted at Koshi Barrage as water levels decrease

After water levels rose, the restrictions on movement at the Koshi Barrage, which were imposed since Saturday evening, were lifted on Sunday evening.

Although all 56 gates of the barrage were opened, movement was halted from 4 PM on Saturday due to water flow exceeding 600,000 cubic feet per second. Chief District Officer of Sunsari, Ramchandra Tiwari, stated that movement was resumed on Sunday evening because the water flow had decreased and the debris accumulated at the barrage had been cleared.

As of the evening measurement, the flow at Sapta Koshi is currently 350,000 cubic feet per second. On Sunday morning, the flow had reached 661,000 cubic feet per second, but it has been continuously decreasing since then.

Domestic flights resume regular operations

Domestic flights, which had been disrupted for three days, are now back to regular operations starting today. On Thursday, flights were unable to operate at several airports, and due to weather conditions, most airports remained closed on Friday and Saturday.

On Saturday, the Tribhuvan International Airport reported that only 30 percent of total domestic flights were able to take off.

However, today, Sunday, all airports across the country are open. While some flights were briefly affected in the morning due to fog, the Tribhuvan International Airport office confirmed that regular flights have been resuming since 9 AM.

Disasters from unregulated structures: 100 billion rupee damage

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, at least 25 bridges need to be fully rebuilt, and around 50 have suffered damage. The authority's preliminary assessment indicates that damages to roads and bridges alone have reached 2.5 billion rupees. Previously, the government allocated an average annual budget of 100 million rupees for landslide management and road repairs across the country.

The authority's data shows that floods cause an average annual damage of more than 1.85 billion rupees. The recent rainfall has resulted in additional losses to lives and property this year, according to the authority. Spokesperson Dr. Dijan Bhattarai states significant damage to both private and public assets. He states, "The damage seen on this day alone is equivalent to the annual losses typically experienced at other times."

According to the Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal (IPPAN), 16 hydropower projects have suffered partial to complete damage, and around a dozen transmission lines are obstructed. IPPAN Secretary General Balaram Khatiwada notes that damages to private sector hydropower projects alone exceed 2 billion rupees. He adds, "The project itself has incurred around 2 billion rupees in damage, and the additional losses in access routes and other areas are double that amount."

Floods cause damage to 16 hydropower projects

Following continuous rainfall, floods and landslides have caused damage to 16 hydropower projects across various regions. According to the Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal (IPPAN), the floods have affected the powerhouses, transmission lines, and other structures of these projects.

IPPAN stated that it is currently gathering details about the extent of the damage and has estimated that further damage may have occurred. 

Distribution of 'clean notes' for Dashain begins today

Distribution of 'clean notes' for Dashain begins today. The Nepal Rastra Bank has arranged for the exchange of such notes starting today, until October 8, 2023. Note exchanges will take place at the bank's central office in Baluwatar, regional exchange centers outside the valley, and at the main branches of banks and financial institutions.

Bank spokesperson Ramu Paudel stated that directives have already been issued to the relevant institutions and branch offices, and necessary notes have been provided. "We have made arrangements for the public to exchange as many notes as they need," Paudel said. "Banks also have such notes, and if there are not enough, the central bank will provide them."

Pope concludes Belgium visit, praises victims and demands abusers be judged

Pope Francis demanded Sunday that sexually abusive clergy be judged and their bishops stop covering up their crimes as he ended a troubled visit to Belgium by responding to the outrage over the scandal here that has devastated the church’s credibility.

“Evil must not be hidden. Evil must be brought out into the open,” Francis told some 30,000 people at Belgium’s sports stadium, drawing applause repeatedly as the crowd took in what he was saying.

Francis deviated from his prepared homily to respond to the meeting he held with 17 abuse survivors on Friday night, where he heard first-hand of the trauma and suffering they endured and the tone-deaf response of the church when they reported the crimes.

Who will succeed Hassan Nasrallah?

The killing of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah leaves a vacuum inside a movement that has already had much of its leadership decapitated as a result of months of Israeli assassinations.

But Nasrallah’s death on Friday evening, during a massive Israeli attack on southern Beirut, marks the passing of not just a figurehead, but the man who embodied the Lebanese Shia movement in the eyes of its supporters and the wider region.

There are, however, two leading figures thought to be in contention to be Nasrallah’s successor: Hashem Safieddine and Naim Qassem.

SpaceX launches rescue mission for 2 NASA astronauts

SpaceX launched a rescue mission for the two stuck astronauts at the International Space Station on Saturday, sending up a downsized crew to bring them home but not until next year.

The capsule rocketed into orbit to fetch the test pilots whose Boeing spacecraft returned to Earth empty earlier this month because of safety concerns. The switch in rides left it to NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Alexander Gorbunov to retrieve Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.

Ramkrishna Dhakal commences 'Australia Tour' in Sydney

Singer Ramkrishna Dhakal has officially started his “Ramkrishna Dhakal Australia Tour” in Sydney, Australia. The concert took place at the Indreni Function Center, where he performed a mix of new and classic songs.

Dhakal captivated the audience with popular tracks such as "Bachunjelilai," "Oraali Lageko," "Najik Aunuma," and "Chari Le Ta Chhadera," starting with "Bihan Uthne Bittikai." His rendition of songs by the legendary Narayan Gopal alongside a local band resonated deeply with attendees.

Wrapping up the event with his dance number "Ae Maya Jadau," the audience enthusiastically joined in. Dhakal expressed his excitement about the tour, noting that he has been performing in Australia since 2009, making this his fourth visit.

Sold out in minutes, resold for millions: Coldplay tickets spark outrage in India

If you were in India and had 900,000 rupees ($10,800; £8,000), what would you buy? A car? A trip around the world? Diamond jewellery? Or a Coldplay concert ticket?

The British rock band is set to perform three shows of their Music of the Spheres world tour in Mumbai next year and the tickets are being sold for obscene amounts on reselling platforms, after being sold out in minutes on BookMyShow (BMS) - the concert's official ticketing platform.

The tickets went on sale last Sunday and were priced from 2,500 rupees to 12,000 rupees. More than 10 million people competed to buy some 180,000 tickets.

Fans complained about hours-long digital queues and site crashes, but many also alleged that the sales were rigged as resellers had begun selling tickets for five times the price - touching even 900,000 rupees - before they were released on the official site.

Rain stops play as Australia is ahead on DLS

Rain stops play in the fifth ODI match between England and Australia in Bristol, with Australia 165-2 in 21st over - and ahead on DLS. Australia need 310 to win fifth ODI and series. England were all out for 309 in final over of innings. They collapse from 202-2 to 276-9 but Adil Rashid adds 36. Ben Duckett hits century off 86 balls but miscues to mid-off for 107. Harry Brook makes 72 off 52 balls and Phil Salt 45 off 27 balls. Final game of international summer - series level at 2-2.

Players who withdraw from IPL to be banned for two years

Players who pull out of the Indian Premier League at short notice will be banned from taking part in the following two seasons in a new rule introduced to the world's most lucrative T20 franchise league.

The rule will impact any player who signs up for an auction and is picked, but pulls out before the start of the season.

It is understood there will be an exemption for "injury or medical condition".

England players Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, David Willey and Harry Brook were all among those to pull out of the IPL this year.

In other announcements, teams will be able to retain up to six players from their current squad for the 2025 season.

Canada T20 Tri-Series: Nepal faces Oman tonight, Oman choses to field

The Nepali national cricket team, currently on a tour of Canada, is currently playing its second match in the T20 international series. Nepal faces Oman in this match, which has started at 21:45 Nepali time. Oman has chosen to field and asked Nepal to bat first. Currently, Nepal is 18/0 in 2.4 overs. (As of 22:00 Nepali standard time.)

During their Canada tour, the Nepali team has shown disappointing performances. They have not won any of their four matches played in the League 2 series. One game against Oman was abandoned due to rain, earning Nepal one point.

Liverpool beats Wolves 2-1, reaches at the top of the league

Mohamed Salah's penalty sent Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League as they beat winless Wolves.

The forward's second-half spot kick quickly restored an advantage that had been cancelled out by Rayan Ait-Nouri's leveller after Ibrahima Konate's first Premier League goal had given the visitors the lead at Molineux.

Arne Slot's side capitalised on Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle and moved back above Arsenal to reclaim top spot with a hard-fought win while the hosts remain bottom.