Today’s news is dominated by ongoing disaster impacts from the Bhotekoshi floods alongside developments in political remembrance, governance coordination, and public services.
Politics & Governance
Nepal’s federal-provincial relations drew renewed attention as the Lumbini Province Chief Minister urged full delegation of constitutional rights to provincial and local governments. The appeal was made during a sanitation program on Constitution Day, with emphasis on coordination among all levels of government, including a planned cleanliness campaign for the day’s events (Lumbini Province Chief Minister Chetan Narayan Acharya). Separately, the 29th Memorial Day of Ganesh Man Singh was observed through programmes organized by the Nepali Congress and its affiliates, including events marking his political legacy (Ganesh Man Singh’s 29th Memorial Day).
Courts & Accountability
No court rulings or accountability actions are covered in the provided briefs today.
Economy & Business
The hydropower sector faces major reconstruction challenges after disaster-linked damage, with multiple figures reported on losses, missing persons, and destroyed projects. Reports cite an estimated 3 trillion NPR needed for reconstruction after shocks from the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods, and say 13 hydropower projects totalling 759 megawatts were destroyed (hydropower damage after Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods). In aviation and connectivity, Saudi Arabian Airlines signed an agreement to operate services to Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports, a move described as aimed at improving regional tourism access (air service agreement opening Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports).
Society & Community
Humanitarian and recovery efforts remain central as multiple reports describe missing people and displacement tied to the Bhotekoshi floods. The Department of Tourism reports 606 foreign nationals from 36 countries still unaccounted for, while rescue and search operations continue alongside updated local damage assessments (606 foreign nationals missing) and accounts of widespread housing destruction indicate more than 2,000 homes fully destroyed, particularly in Nuwakot (more than 2,000 homes destroyed in Nuwakot). Outside the disaster zone, residents in remote Bajura welcomed the start of maternity and laboratory services, indicating improved local access to healthcare (maternity and lab services begin in Bajura).
Date: September 18, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Aswin 02, 2083
Top News
1. शोभाभगवतीमा रहेको सालिकमा माल्यार्पण गर्दै मनाइयो गणेशमान सिंहको २९औँ स्मृति दिवस (तस्बिरहरू) (www.ratopati.com)
The 29th memorial day of Ganeshman Singh, a key commander of the 1990 people's movement for the restoration of democracy, is being observed with various programs, including a tribute at his statue in Shobhabhagwati organized by the Ganeshman Singh Foundation. Singh, born on November 10, 1972, in Kathmandu, passed away on September 18, 1997.
2. Bhotekoshi floods: 606 foreign nationals of 36 countries still missing (theannapurnaexpress.com)
As of now, 606 foreign tourists from 36 countries remain missing due to the Bhotekoshi floods that began on August 26. The Department of Tourism reports that the majority of the missing are from India, with significant numbers also from Australia, Canada, Malaysia, and the United States. Efforts to locate the missing individuals are ongoing, with 310 foreign tourists successfully rescued so far.
3. 898 hydropower workers remain missing after Bhotekoshi floods (english.onlinekhabar.com)
family two days before the flood, and my son spoke to his mother the evening before. Since then, we have had no contact,” Madhav Lamichhane stated. The ongoing search for the missing workers continues, with families grappling with uncertainty and grief as the number of unaccounted individuals remains high across various hydropower projects.
4. साउदीका वायुसेवालाई पोखरा र भैरहवा विमानस्थल खुला गर्दै हवाई सेवा सम्झौता (www.onlinekhabar.com)
Saudi Arabian Airlines has signed an agreement to operate flights to Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports in Nepal. This development will enhance air connectivity and promote tourism in the region.
5. प्रदेश र स्थानीय तहको अधिकार पूर्ण प्रत्यायोजन गर्न संघीय सरकारको ध्यानाकर्षण (www.ratopati.com)
Lumbini Province Chief Minister Chetan Narayan Acharya urged the federal government to fully implement the rights granted to provincial and local levels by the constitution. Speaking at a sanitation program on Constitution Day, he emphasized the need for effective coordination and cooperation among the federal, provincial, and local governments to ensure the complete transfer of these rights. The province plans to conduct various programs over two days to celebrate Constitution Day, including a cleanliness campaign aimed at enhancing the administrative premises.
6. Bhotekoshi floods: 677 transport workers unaccounted for (theannapurnaexpress.com)
The Nepal Truck Transport Entrepreneurs Federation reported that 677 transport workers are unaccounted for following the Bhotekoshi floods, with 515 trucks and containers also missing. A committee, led by Rajiv Pokharel, has been formed by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development to assess the damage and prepare a compensation report within 15 days. Additionally, 606 foreign nationals from 36 countries remain missing due to the floods.
7. भोटेकोशी बाढी : दुई हजार भन्दा बढी घरवास पूर्णरूपमा नष्ट, नुवाकोटमा धेरै (www.onlinekhabar.com)
Over 2,000 houses have been completely destroyed due to flooding from the Bhotekoshi River, with significant damage reported in Nuwakot. The disaster has led to extensive loss of property and displacement in the affected areas.
8. विपद्को चक्रव्यूहमा जलविद्युत्, एकपछि अर्को धक्काले अपूरणीय क्षति (www.ratopati.com)
Nepal's hydropower sector has suffered significant damage due to natural disasters, particularly from the recent Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods, which caused billions in losses to energy projects and infrastructure. An estimated 3 trillion NPR is needed for reconstruction, with reports indicating that 1,395 bodies have been recovered and over 5,130 people are still missing. The floods have destroyed 13 hydropower projects with a total capacity of 759 megawatts, leading to a direct income loss of 16.34 billion NPR for the energy sector.
9. Locals rejoice as maternity and lab services begin in remote Bajura (risingnepaldaily.com)
Maternity and laboratory services have commenced in the remote Bajura district, bringing relief and joy to local residents. This development aims to improve healthcare access for the community, addressing long-standing medical service gaps.
10. 29th Memorial Day of Ganesh Man Singh being observed today (theannapurnaexpress.com)
The 29th Memorial Day of Ganesh Man Singh is being observed by the Nepali Congress and its affiliates through various programs. Singh, a pivotal figure in the 1990 People's Movement and the fight against the Rana regime, passed away on Ashwin 2, 2054 BS, after a lifetime of political activism and leadership.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 153.8 |
| CAD → NPR | 109.91 |
| AUD → NPR | 109.36 |
| GBP → NPR | 206.04 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.88 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4366.27 | NPR 251,824.35 |
| Silver | $66.24 | NPR 3,820.39 |
Disclaimer
- Forex rates are sourced from the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
- International gold and silver prices are sourced from swissquote.
- Nepal gold and silver prices are sourced from Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association.
Prices are provided for informational purposes only and may be delayed, or inaccurate.
