Page 5 - Nepal

From Rasuwa to Bihar: How Nepal's flash floods can travel into India

A flash flood in Nepal's Rasuwa district has raised flood concerns in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Here's how the Trishuli-Narayani-Gandak river system connects Nepal to India

Explained: Why Nepal is so vulnerable to nature's destructive forces

Nepal flash floods: From earthquakes and landslides to flash floods and glacial hazards, Nepal's geography and a warming climate are creating a growing challenge for people and infrastructure

Govt making efforts to trace Indians stuck in Nepal floods: Jaishankar

India is making "urgent efforts" to ascertain the status and well-being of Indians stuck in flood-hit areas of Nepal, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday. Jaishankar said this after holding a high-level meeting, which was also joined virtually by Indian envoys in Kathmandu and Beijing. Earlier in the day, Nepalese Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said nearly 300 Indian tourists are among thousands of people remaining missing after the devastating flash flood swept through parts of the Nepal-Tibet border. Held a review meeting with Foreign Secretary, Team MEA and our Ambassadors in Kathmandu and Beijing on the Nepal flood disaster, Jaishankar said on social media. "Urgent efforts are underway to ascertain the status and well-being of all Indians in the flood-affected areas," he said. The external affairs minister said his ministry is coordinating with various ministries, State governments, tour operators and other relevant authorities. "We are working closely wit

Nepal floods: MP sets up control room, Meghalaya launches helpline number

The Madhya Pradesh government on Thursday established a control room in New Delhi for the assistance of tourists from the state stranded in Nepal due to flash floods, an official said. People stranded in Nepal or their families can contact the control room for assistance and information on the helpline number 011-26772005, WhatsApp number 9818963273, and via email at recp1mpbhawan@mp.gov.in, the official said. The flash floods on Wednesday wreaked havoc across three districts in Nepal, claiming 177 lives. Hundreds of people, including 300 Indian tourists, were missing in one of the country's worst disasters in recent years.

Day after Nepal floods, Gandak river water level recedes in Bihar

The water level of the Gandak river, which was in spate after the flash floods in Nepal a day ago, was showing a receding trend on Thursday, bringing respite to the residents of low-lying areas in northern parts of Bihar, an official said. The discharge from the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar in West Champaran, the northernmost district of the state that shares a border with the neighbouring country, also declined with the receding water level in the river system, he said. Bihar was put on high alert on Wednesday as floodwaters from Nepal entered the Gandak river and reached the barrage, prompting the authorities concerned to open all 36 gates to control the surge. The water discharge from Valmikinagar barrage declined from 1.50 lakh cusecs at 11 pm on Wednesday to 1.04 lakh cusecs on Thursday morning. "The water discharge from the Gandak barrage at Valmikinagar peaked at 1.50 lakh cusecs at 11 pm on Wednesday, after which the water level began receding," the Water Resources ...

Glacial collapse triggered Nepal flash floods, not earthquake: USGS

The Nepal flash floods were triggered by a glacial collapse and not by a 4.4 magnitude earthquake as reported earlier, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. The USGS said additional analysis of the long-period seismic waves indicated that the tremors were generated by a glacial collapse and debris flow. The flash floods originating in Tibet on Wednesday left a trail of death and destruction in Rasuwa and Dhading districts of Nepal, killing 162 people and leaving 750, including 133 Indian nationals, missing. "This event was initially reported as a magnitude 4.4 earthquake. Additional analysis of nearby seismic stations, long period seismic waves, and satellite imagery led to the determination that the seismic event was instead a glacial collapse and debris flow, and that no earthquake had occurred," the USGS said in an update to its note on the event. It also upgraded the magnitude of the seismic event to 5.2 from the 4.4 assessed earlier. "The USGS determined that the seismic even

Flash floods hit Nepal, 105 Indians, 37 NRIs among nearly 400 missing

A sudden, massive flood swept through two central Nepal districts bordering Tibet killing four people, causing extensive devastation at settlements along the river

17 killed, nearly 750 missing as flash flood sweeps through Nepal districts

A sudden, massive flood swept through two central Nepal districts bordering Tibet killing four people, causing extensive devastation at settlements along the river and damaging at least a dozen hydropower projects early Wednesday. The flood surged through the Bhote Koshi River at around 9 am (local time) coming from the Tibet side affecting Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet and Nuwakot district, southwest of Kathmandu, officials said. The flooding was not caused by local rains in Rasuwa but possibly because of the heavy rainfall or avalanche on the Tibetan side, they said, but the exact cause is yet to be ascertained. Multiple downstream districts, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Chitawan, have been placed on high alert even as officials started search and rescue operations with the help of Nepal Army in the affected areas. The sudden rise in water caused widespread destruction in Timure in Rasuwa district and the nearby Syafrubesi area, with vehicles, goods and .

Nepal floods: PM Modi speaks to Balen Shah, offers humanitarian assistance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods there and told him that India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to the neighbouring country. Modi also said that people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time. A sudden, massive flood swept through two central Nepal districts bordering Tibet killing four people, causing extensive devastation at settlements along the river and damaging at least a dozen hydropower projects early Wednesday. The flood surged through the Bhote Koshi river at around 9 am (local time) coming from the Tibet side affecting Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet and Nuwakot district, southwest of Kathmandu, officials said. In a post on 'X', Modi said, "Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of

Nepal PM Balendra Shah greets PM Modi, India on 80th Independence Day

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Saturday extended greetings and best wishes to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and the people of India on the occasion of the country's 80th Independence Day. Shah's message comes amid Nepal's efforts to strengthen ties with India, with the Himalayan nation seeking greater economic cooperation and connectivity with its immediate neighbour. "On the occasion of India's 80th Independence Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to PM @narendramodi and the friendly people and Government of India," Shah's office said in a post on X. Shah's message also comes days after he held his first one-on-one meeting with Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava on August 10, after having largely avoided such engagements with foreign diplomats since taking office. "May the deep historical ties, close people-to-people relations and cooperation between Nepal and India continue to strengthen in the years ahead," Shah said on Saturday. Nepal .

Nepal PM Balen Shah meets Indian envoy, discusses 'historic' bilateral ties

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Monday held his first one-on-one meeting with Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava and emphasised the need to deepen the country's "historic relationship" with India. Shah met Srivastava at the Prime Minister's Office in Singha Durbar. The meeting covered Nepal-India bilateral relations, mutual interests, development partnership and areas of cooperation, according to the prime minister's secretariat. Srivastava congratulated Shah and expressed his commitment to further strengthening relations and cooperation between the two countries. "Honoured to call on Rt. Hon. Prime Minister of Nepal (@ShahBalen) this morning. Conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Modi ji (@narendramodi). Had an engaging and productive exchange of views on further deepening robust, multifaceted India-Nepal partnership," Ambassador Srivastava posted on X. Shah emphasised the need to deepen Nepal's "historic relationship" with India and work together in areas of shared .

8 political parties join hands to form 'Progressive Front' in Nepal

Eight Nepalese political parties have announced the formation of a new alliance named the 'Progressive Front' based on "shared political issues and common agendas." The alliance was announced at a programme held in Kathmandu on Saturday comprising Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), Janamat Party (JP), Aam Janata Party (AJP), Nagarik Unmukti Party Nepal (NUPN), Pragatishil Loktantrik Party (PLP), Nepal Sanghiya Samjawadi Party (NSSP), Bahujan Samajbadi Party Nepal (BSPN) and Khmbuwan Rastriya Morcha (KRM). According to a statement issued by the Progressive Front, the alliance is preparing to move forward on the basis of shared political issues and common agendas. The formation comes amid ongoing efforts among Madhesh-based parties and some other fringe parties to forge political collaboration and cooperation. The front aims to work for the formation of a "just, inclusive and discrimination-less unified society" by ending all types of discrimination and anomalies irrespectiveof the people

Nepal PM Shah to hold meetings with Indian, Chinese envoys on Monday

Prime Minister Balendra Shah 'Balen' is set to hold separate bilateral meetings focussing on bilateral relations with the Indian and Chinese ambassadors to Nepal on Monday, the first such one-on-one diplomatic engagements after more than 100 days in office. After meeting the Indian envoy first, followed by the Chinese counterpart, Shah will also meet with the US Embassy Charge d'Affaires on Tuesday. In a departure from a long tradition of individual meetings, Shah, who was sworn-in on March 27 after a landslide win, held a joint courtesy meeting on April 8 with as many as 17 Kathmandu-based Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic Missions, including those from India and China, at Singhadurbar, the prime minister's office. On Sunday, Foreign Ministry sources said Shah will meet Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava on Monday morning and Chinese Ambassador Zhang Maoming later that afternoon. It will be followed by a meeting with the US Embassy Charge d'Affaires Scott Urbom on Tuesday and .

Curfew in parts of Nepal bordering India enters 4th day after violence

An indefinite curfew continued in several parts of Nepal's India-bordering Sunsari district in the Koshi province for a fourth day on Thursday, following communal violence that left one person dead and several injured. The security situation in the district is gradually improving, said Assistant Chief District Officer, Sunsari, Poshan Lamichhane. The district administration has extended the curfew, first imposed on Monday, to ten areas, including the East-West Highway, to control the situation. It will remain in force until further notice. Under the curfew, the movement of people, gathering, demonstration, public meeting and sit-in are strictly prohibited. Security has been stepped up in various sensitive areas and government offices. Prime Minister Balendra Shah has called a meeting of the National Security Council on Thursday to review the security situation in the country, especially in Sunsari district. One person was killed and more than a dozen people, including security ...

One killed in communal clash in Nepal's India-bordering Sunsari district

One person was killed and several others, including security personnel, were injured in a communal clash in Nepal's Sunsari district, bordering India, prompting authorities to impose indefinite restrictive orders in parts of the area from Monday. According to the District Administration Office, Sunsari, the prohibitory orders took effect from 7:00 am and cover five market areas in the district, located in the Koshi province. The restrictions will remain in force until further notice. Under the prohibitory orders, gatherings of more than four people, demonstrations, public meetings and sit-ins have been banned in the affected areas. The violence erupted on Sunday night in the Kaptangunj area of Devgunj rural municipality when members of two religious communities, who were separately organising programmes, clashed over the use of loudspeakers and the display of religious flags, police said. A verbal altercation between the two groups escalated into violence, prompting security person

Nepal allows up to ₹25,000 in post-2016 Indian notes for Indians, Nepalis

Nepal has permitted Indian and Nepalese nationals to bring into or take out of the country Indian currency notes of Rs 200 and Rs 500 denominations up to a value of Rs 25,000, provided those were issued on or after November 9, 2016. The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), in a notice issued on Thursday, said Indian currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations issued before November 9, 2016, remain prohibited in Nepal. However, Indian currency notes of Rs 200 and Rs 500 issued after November 9, 2016, can be carried, brought into or taken out of Nepal by Nepali or Indian citizens up to a limit of INR 25,000 per person, in accordance with prevailing regulations, it said. Though the provisions were already notified by NRB through a notice published in the Nepal Gazette on February 11, the central bank on Thursday issued the fresh notice reiterating the regulations and clarifying its implementation. Clarifying the new rules, NRB spokesperson Guru Prasad Paudel said on Saturday that Nepalese

Nepal seeks India's nod to accept biometric card for cross-border travel

The proposal has been routed through diplomatic channels to New Delhi, and Nepal's Department of Immigration (DoI) is currently awaiting a formal response

Industry body IVPA seeks curbs on duty-free edible oil imports from Nepal

The Indian Vegetable Oil Producers' Association (IVPA) on Monday called on the government to take steps against an "unprecedented surge" in duty-free refined edible oil imports from Nepal under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) framework. Imports from Nepal jumped more than 17-fold in two years, rising to over 804,000 tonnes in 2025 from 47,295 tonnes in 2023, the industry body said in a statement, adding that volumes were on track to reach 1 million tonnes annually, making Nepal one of India's largest suppliers of refined edible oils. IVPA said the increase marked a significant structural shift in India's edible oil trade that required policy attention to keep trade, tariff and domestic value-addition goals aligned. "India has consistently championed regional economic cooperation and remains fully committed to the objectives of the SAFTA Agreement," IVPA President Sudhakar Desai said, adding that the scale of the duty-free imports called for a policy review to protect the ...

Why Nepal’s Gen Z is turning against Prime Minister Balen Shah

Protests have returned to Nepal less than a year after Gen Z voters helped bring Balen Shah’s government to power. The demonstrations were triggered by the death of a 25-year-old

Nepal tops foreign student inflows to India, Karnataka leads in enrolments

Nepal continues to send the largest number of students to India while Karnataka is the top destination receiving maximum foreign students, according to a Ministry of Education survey. The All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) for 2023-24 noted that India's higher education institutions attracted students from 173 countries in the 2023-24 academic year, with 58,134 foreign students enrolled across universities and colleges in the country. The AISHE collects detailed information from higher education institutions (HEIs) across the country through a web-based data capture format (DCF). Institutions upload data on student enrolment, faculty and staff, infrastructure, examination results, etc., on the AISHE portal. The survey serves as the primary source of official statistics on higher education in India, providing critical insights for policy formulation, planning and monitoring of the sector. In 2023-24, the highest share of foreign students came from Nepal (24.1 per cent), ..