Page 13 - Nepal

Nepal accepts $20 mn grant assistance from China ahead of PM Oli's visit

The Nepal government has accepted projects worth USD 20 million as grant assistance from China ahead of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's first official visit to the country after assuming office for the fourth time. Minister for Information and Communication Prithvi Subba Gurung talking to media persons on Sunday said the Council of Ministers meeting wished for the success of the prime minister's China visit and also decided to accept projects worth USD 20 million equivalent to Nepalese Rs 2.70 billion as grant assistance from China. Besides, the Cabinet also decided to accept 300 million Chinese Yuan (USD 4.13 million approximately) equivalent to Nepalese Rs 5.60 billion worth projects proposed by the government of China, according to government spokesperson Gurung. During Oli's China visit, various projects including Tokha-Khahare Tunnel Road, Special Economic Zone construction at Corala border point of Mustang, road construction at Kimathanka of Shankhuwasabha, feasibility study o

Nepal PM Oli embarks on four-day China visit, first trip in this term

Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Monday embarked on a four-day official visit to China, his maiden trip to any neighbouring country in this term, during which he is scheduled to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on various issues of mutual interest. Oli is visiting Beijing at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here said. During the visit from December 2-5, Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi in Beijing and hold bilateral talks with Premier Li to discuss matters of mutual interest, the ministry said in a statement. He is leading a 39-member delegation to China. His spouse Radhika Shakya is also accompanying him on the visit. Oli will also meet Zhao Leji, Chair of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. He will be a keynote speaker at an event to be held at Peking University in Beijing. Oli, regarded as a pro-China leader, heads a coalition government consisting of his Commu

Nepal rules out loans for BRI projects; emphasises grants, consensus

Nepal on Saturday said it is not in a position to take loans for projects under China's Belt and Road Initiative and will instead primarily rely on grants, moving forward based on mutual consensus among all stakeholders. Speaking to reporters at Tribhuvan International Airport upon returning from a three-day visit to China, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba clarified Nepal's position on the implementation of BRI projects. Her visit was aimed at preparing for Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's upcoming official trip to China starting December 2. "Nepal signed the BRI framework agreement in 2017, but discussions regarding its implementation modality are still ongoing. The projects under BRI will only move forward based on agreements and mutual understanding between Nepal, China, and all stakeholders within Nepal," Deuba said. In response to a question, the foreign minister said that Nepal is currently not in a position to take loans under the multi-billion dollar infrastructure ...

Will not sign any loan agreement with China under BRI during visit: Oli

Nepal's prime minister will begin an official visit to China on December 2 at the invitation of the Chinese government.

Army chief lands in Nepal; to receive Honorary General rank from President

Indian Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi arrived here on Wednesday on an official visit to Nepal during which he will be conferred the honorary rank of "General of the Nepal Army" in continuation of an age-old tradition that first started in 1950, reflecting the strong ties between the two militaries. "To honour the singular tradition of conferment of honorary General rank of Nepali Army, COAS, IA Gen Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM arrived at Kathmandu for a five-day visit," the Embassy of India in Kathmandu said in a post on X. Gen Dwivedi, who is leading a five-member delegation, was warmly received by Maj Gen Madhukar Singh Karki on behalf of Nepal Army chief Gen Ashok Raj Sigdel upon his arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Later, Gen Dwivedi interacted with the Ambassador of India to Nepal and discussed issues related to the bilateral relationship between the two countries. He is expected to hold extensive talks with Gen Sigdel and will call on President Ramchandra Paudel

Nepal-India talks third-country nationals' movement at border security meet

They indicated the movement of Chinese and Pakistani nationals from our border and we also expressed concerns about the Rohingya refugees as well as Bangladeshi nationals

How one of the tiniest oil markets cost Trafigura Group over $1 bn

This week, the company admitted it faces a loss in Mongolia of up to $1.1 billion, linked in part to suspected fraud by its own employees

No anti-China activities will be allowed in our territory: Nepal PM Oli

Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said on Sunday that no anti-China activities will be allowed in the country, reaffirming the Himalayan nation's commitment to the 'One China' policy. Oli made the remarks in a meeting with a high-level Chinese delegation led by Chen Jining, a member of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee. The meeting took place at his official residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu. Reaffirming Nepal's commitment to the One China policy, Oli told the visiting delegation that no anti-China activities would be allowed to operate within Nepal's territory. China claims that the breakaway nation of Taiwan is part of it and makes it mandatory for all the countries having diplomatic ties with it to follow the One China' policy, which effectively states that Taiwan is part of China. During the meeting, Oli also expressed hopes for continued support from China for Nepal's economic development. Talks were also held about strengthening bilateral relations and ...

Human induced climate change behind recent flooding disasters in Nepal

World Weather Attribution, an international collaboration, has underscored the urgent need for Nepal to limit development in low-lying, riverside areas of the cities and scale up early warning and prompt action to avoid repeat of flooding disasters. Climate change was responsible for the extreme three day downpours in Nepal about 10 percent more intense, concluded the organization in its recently published report. The flood and landslide triggered by heavy rain in Nepal in late September caused heavy loss to the country as it claimed at least 244 lives. The rainfall became 10 percent more intense by human-induced climate change, pointed out the report. Bursts of rainfall will become even more heavier, risking more destructive floods until the world replaces fossil fuels with renewable sources of energy, warned the organization. Reducing development in flood-prone areas of cities will help protect people in Nepal from future floods, according to the report. The explosive monsoon ...

India's first consignment of emergency relief reaches flood-hit Nepal

The Indian Embassy here handed over the first consignment of emergency relief materials, including sleeping bags, blankets and tarpaulin sheets, to authorities in flood-struck Nepal, according to an official statement. The 4.2 tonnes of aid supplies handed over on Monday were for families affected by the recent inundation in Nepal, the Indian Embassy said in a press release. Days of relentless downpours late last month triggered widespread floods and landslides, leaving more than 240 people dead across the Himalayan nation. Transported to Nepalgunj from India, the consignment was handed over by Second Secretary Narayan Singh on behalf of the Indian government to the Chief District Officer of Banke, Khagendra Prasad Rijal, the press release said. It comprised tarpaulins, sleeping bags, blankets, Chlorine tablets and water bottles. The Indian government was also "arranging other essential hygiene items and medicines as well as other relief materials, which will be delivered soon," t

India contributes to Nepal PM Fund to support victims of floods, landslides

Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava expressed his heartfelt condolences to Nepal

India stands firm with Nepal amid disastrous floods, offers hand of help

After the heavy rainfall since last week of September, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority recently issued warnings of possible heavy rainfall across various locations

Nepal issues alert for rainfall after floods, landslides kill over 240

The government of Nepal issued a new alert for heavy rainfall on Wednesday, following days of relentless downpours that have triggered widespread floods and landslides, leaving more than 240 people dead across the Himalayan nation. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak directed authorities and disaster management agencies to remain on high alert as weather forecasts predict heavy rainfall in the Koshi and Bagmati provinces, as well as in the Kathmandu Valley, through Wednesday and Thursday. The warning came after the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology flagged potential risks of further downpours in parts of the two provinces. Lekhak urged the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), chief district officers, and local governments to caution against possible risk of disasters. The ministry also appealed to the public to remain on alert and be prepared to mitigate the potential risks of heavy rainfall and its consequences. "I have directed the chief district ...

23 MP residents stuck in Nepal landslide being brought back: CM Yadav

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday said 23 persons from the state stranded in the landslide-hit in Nepal were safe and they were being brought back. Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Tuesday said more than 4,000 people were rescued in the rain-induced floods and landslides that have claimed 241 lives so far and wreaked havoc in the Himalayan country. The disaster, which began on September 26, continued to cause widespread destruction in multiple provinces until September 29, leaving thousands displaced. Incessant rain last week created havoc across Nepal. After receiving information about travellers from Madhya Pradesh being stranded in Nepal, the state government contacted the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu through the Centre and requested to make arrangements to evacuate everyone safely and send them to their destinations, CM Yadav said. "All our brothers and sisters from Madhya Pradesh stranded in the landslide area in Nepal have been evacuated safely. It

Nepal PM says over 4,000 people rescued in floods that killed 241

Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Tuesday said that more than 4,000 people were rescued in the rain-induced floods and landslides that have claimed 241 lives so far and wreaked havoc in the Himalayan country. Admitting that there was a delay on the part of the government while carrying out search and rescue operations, Oli, during a press conference at Singha Durbar, urged one and all to support the government's efforts for relief and rehabilitation works. He said that the authorities have rescued 4,331 people across the country from the flooding disaster. The prime minister expressed his commitment to correct shortcomings in the rescue and search operations due to the unimaginable disaster that hit the country on Saturday after 48 hours of incessant rain. Chief Secretary Eaknarayan Aryal informed that the country suffered around Rs 17 billion loss due to the devastating landslide and flood that claimed 241 lives. At least 29 people were missing and 126 suffered injuries, he .

Death toll from rain-induced floods, landslides across Nepal hits 217

The death toll from rain-induced floods and landslides across Nepal crossed 215-mark on Tuesday, while the number of those gone missing stands at 28, officials said. The disaster, which began on Thursday, continued to cause widespread destruction in multiple provinces until Sunday, leaving thousands displaced. Large swathes of eastern and central Nepal have been inundated since Friday. However, the weather improved from Sunday in Kathmandu providing some relief to the disaster-affected people. The death toll in the flood and landslide triggered by three days of continuous rain in Kathmandu and various parts of Nepal has reached 217 as of Tuesday morning. So far, 28 people have been missing and 143 sustained injuries due to the natural disaster-related incidents, according to Home Ministry spokesperson Rishiram Tiwari. Incessant rain from Thursday to Saturday has created havoc across Nepal. The Kathmandu Valley suffered the most where the death toll crossed 50. More than 20,000 ...

Nearly 200 killed in floods, landslides in Nepal

The death toll from rain-induced floods and landslides across Nepal reached nearly 200 on Monday, with at least 30 people still missing, according to the police.

Bihar faces severe flooding: Over 1.6 mn affected, six barrages breached

Bihar has issued heavy rain and flood alerts, deploying six NDRF teams from other states, with a total of 12 NDRF and 22 SDRF teams conducting relief operations

Flood and landslides claim around 200 lives, 30 still missing in Nepal

The death toll from rain-triggered floods and landslides across Nepal climbed to 170 with 42 people missing on Sunday, officials said. Large swathes of eastern and central Nepal have been inundated since Friday, with flash floods reported in parts of the country. According to police, 170 people have been killed so far due to floods and landslides across Nepal. According to Home Ministry officials, 42 people are missing in floods, landslides and inundation. As many as 111 people have sustained injuries in flood-related incidents, Ministry of Home Affairs spokesperson Rishiram Pokharel said. Search and rescue operations are underway with the mobilisation of all the security agencies, he said, adding that the Nepal Army has airlifted 162 people from across the country. As many as 4,000 people affected by flood and inundation have been rescued by the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel, Pokharel said. All necessary relief materials, including food grains, have

Over 170 people killed in rain-triggered floods, landslides in Nepal

The death toll from rain-triggered floodings and landslides across Nepal climbed to 125 on Sunday, police said. Large swathes of eastern and central Nepal have been inundated since Friday, with flash floods reported in parts of the country. According to the Armed Police Force sources, 64 people are missing in floods, landslides and inundation, while 61 people have been injured. The Kathmandu Valley reported the highest number of deaths. At least 322 houses and 16 bridges were damaged. The security personnel have rescued nearly 3,626 people, the Armed Police Force sources said. The sources added that rescue operations were still underway. Eyewitnesses said they had never seen such a devastating flood and inundation in the Kathmandu Valley in 40-45 years. The death toll has reached 125, the Armed Police Force said in a statement. At least 19 people were killed on Saturday when a bus was buried in a landslide in Dhading district bordering Kathmandu. Five people died when a house .