Floods, diplomatic vetting, and fiscal actions dominated today’s developments across Nepal.
Politics & Governance
Home Minister Sudhan Gurung met India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi to discuss bilateral ties ahead of the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting, following Gurung’s earlier meeting with India’s Home Minister Amit Shah. Gurung meets Jaishankar and BIMSTEC home ministers talks were the key outcomes highlighted from the visit.
Nepal’s Parliament rejected two ambassadorial nominees, including Chudamani Kharel for Malaysia, while placing a third nomination on hold and endorsing other candidates. Parliament rejects Kharel cited concerns including moral conduct and alleged conflicts of interest, shaping the current diplomatic lineup.
Courts & Accountability
The Parliamentary Hearing Committee rejected Chudamani Kharel’s ambassador nomination, and separate reporting said Babu Thapa, convicted in the Justice Bam murder case, was arrested in Sarlahi after evading capture. Committee rejects Kharel and Thapa arrested in Sarlahi were the accountability-linked developments reported today.
Authorities also intensified health screenings at the Gaddachauki border as Nepalis returned from India for the Dashain festival, reflecting administrative measures amid mass movement. Health screenings at Gaddachauki was noted alongside the committee decision and the arrest.
Economy & Business
The government proposed Rs 559.72 billion for post-disaster reconstruction through 504 projects following floods affecting Bhotekoshi, Kaligandaki, and Budhigandaki. Post-disaster reconstruction budget includes allocations spanning education, infrastructure, and health under recommendations from the disaster risk management authority.
In Sudurpashchim, the provincial government received legal clearance to implement its budget for fiscal year 2083–84 after certification by the provincial chief, enabling steps toward gazette publication and system linking for expenditure execution. Budget implementation clearance in Sudurpashchim also included a process to distribute salaries and incentives after months without pay.
Society & Community
Flood impacts in northern Gorkha have left thousands of households without electricity, with damage reported to the Sirdibas Uhiya Micro Hydropower Project and related infrastructure. Budhi Gandaki floods disrupt power described outages affecting both Chumnubri Rural Municipality and neighboring areas, alongside disruptions to roads, bridges, communications, and administration.
Separately, social and mobility pressures were reported ahead of Dashain, including a finding that 21.3% of children in Madhes face multidimensional deprivation. Children deprivation in Madhes and 10,000 daily returns via Jamunaha highlighted the period’s simultaneous welfare and transport challenges.
Travel disruptions also continued in parts of the country, with reports that Mugu passengers are stranded in Nepalgunj due to adverse weather. Mugu passengers stranded added to ongoing travel and logistics difficulties during the festival season.
Date: October 15, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Aswin 29, 2083
Top News
1. Home Minister Gurung, Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar hold talks (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Home Minister Sudhan Gurung met with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, discussing bilateral relations ahead of the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting. Gurung had previously met with Indian Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit.
2. Budhi Gandaki floods leave thousands of households without electricity in northern Gorkha (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Floods along the Budhi Gandaki River have left thousands of households in northern Gorkha without electricity, damaging the Sirdibas Uhiya Micro Hydropower Project and other infrastructure. Approximately 971 households in Chumnubri Rural Municipality are affected, with significant disruptions reported in communication and administrative functions. In total, around 4,000 households across the neighboring Dharche Rural Municipality are also without power, as the floods have severely impacted roads, bridges, and electricity facilities.
3. Parliamentary committee rejects Chudamani Kharel’s nomination as ambassador to Malaysia (english.onlinekhabar.com)
The Parliamentary Hearing Committee has rejected Chudamani Kharel's nomination as Nepal's ambassador to Malaysia. In other news, Babu Thapa, convicted in the Justice Bam murder case, has been arrested in Sarlahi. Health screenings have been intensified at the Gaddachauki border as Nepalis return from India for the Dashain festival.
4. राजपत्रमा प्रकाशित भएपछि सुदूरपश्चिममा बजेट कार्यान्वयनको बाटो खुल्यो (www.ratopati.com)
The Sudurpashchim Province government has received legal clearance to implement its budget for the fiscal year 2083-84 after the provincial chief, Nazir Miyan, certified the economic and appropriation bills. Following this certification, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law is preparing to publish the bills in the official gazette, which will allow provincial ministries and agencies to connect their budget information system with the federal system for expenditure execution. Meanwhile, the province has initiated the process for distributing salaries and incentive allowances to employees, who have not received their pay for nearly three months.
5. Babu Thapa, convicted in Justice Bam murder case, arrested in Sarlahi (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Babu Thapa, convicted in the murder of former Supreme Court Justice Rana Bahadur Bam, was arrested in Sarlahi after evading capture since his escape from prison in September 2025. Police recovered two pistols, three magazines, and 15 rounds of ammunition from him, and legal proceedings for illegal possession of arms will commence at the Sarlahi District Court. Thapa's conviction was linked to a political dispute within the Chure Bhawar Rastriya Party and an interim Supreme Court order that he believed jeopardized his political future.
6. Nepal’s Parliament rejects two Ambassadorial nominees (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Nepal's Parliament has rejected the nominations of Giribahadur Sunar for ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Chudamani Kharel for ambassador to Malaysia due to concerns over moral conduct and alleged conflicts of interest, respectively. The committee has put the nomination of Jigyan Kumar Thapa for ambassador to Japan on hold while endorsing 10 other candidates, including those for India, China, and the United States.
7. Government proposes Rs 559.72 billion for post-disaster reconstruction (theannapurnaexpress.com)
The government has proposed a budget of Rs 559.72 billion for 504 projects aimed at post-disaster reconstruction following floods in Bhotekoshi, Kaligandaki, and Budhigandaki. The National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management recommended this budget to the Finance Ministry, which includes allocations for various ministries covering short-term and long-term recovery efforts across multiple sectors such as education, infrastructure, and health.
8. 21.3% children in Madhes face multidimensional deprivation (risingnepaldaily.com)
A report indicates that 21.3% of children in the Madhes region of Nepal experience multidimensional deprivation, highlighting significant challenges in areas such as education, health, and living standards. This statistic underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve the well-being of children in the region.
9. 10,000 Nepalis return daily via Jamunaha for Dashain (risingnepaldaily.com)
Approximately 10,000 Nepalis are returning daily through the Jamunaha border crossing as they head home for the Dashain festival. This surge in traffic highlights the significant movement of people during this major cultural celebration in Nepal.
10. Mugu passengers stranded in Nepalgunj (risingnepaldaily.com)
Passengers traveling from Mugu to Nepalgunj are currently stranded due to adverse weather conditions. The disruption has affected transportation services, leaving many travelers unable to continue their journey.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 152.55 |
| CAD → NPR | 107.33 |
| AUD → NPR | 106.95 |
| GBP → NPR | 202.37 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.63 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4146.9 | NPR 237,228.34 |
| Silver | $56.06 | NPR 3,206.98 |
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.
