Landslide Relief in Karnali + New Sudurpaschim CM Oath at 3 PM Today 🏔️

Today’s news focuses on disaster impacts across western Nepal alongside political appointments, economic pressures, and government and judicial developments.

Politics & Governance

Khagraj Bhatta was appointed Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province, with preparations underway for his oath at 3 pm today. Khagraj Bhatta will lead a new cabinet following coalition arrangements involving the CPN-UML and the Nepal Communist Party. Four CPN-UML ministers also took oath for the province, administered by Nazir Miya as part of the expanded government team.

Separately, Karnali Province Chief Minister Mangala Bahadur Shah expressed grief over landslide and flood impacts in Jajarkot and directed agencies to intensify rescue and relief work. Mangala Bahadur Shah coordinated with security bodies and the Ministry of Home Affairs, while indicating that relief would be sent after accurate assessments. KP Sharma Oli criticized the government as inexperienced, arguing it has pushed the country into a crisis. KP Sharma Oli made the remarks at a meeting in Ilam.

Courts & Accountability

The government announced new salary scales for constitutional officials, effective from July 17, 2026, including pay for top judicial posts. Chief Justice is listed with a monthly salary of Rs 112,522, while Supreme Court justices and members of the Judicial Council are set at Rs 93,547. The same update also covers High Court and District Court judges, with corresponding allowance provisions for judicial officials.

Economy & Business

Rising meat and egg prices are squeezing consumers while leaving poultry farmers under sustained pressure. Egg and chicken prices climbed despite lower Shrawan demand patterns, with farm-gate prices for XL eggs reportedly increasing from Rs 465 to Rs 560 per crate while retail pricing moved to about Rs 30 per egg. The Nepal Layers Poultry Farmers Association attributed the spike in part to bird flu losses, and said farmers are operating at a loss amid excessive margins for intermediaries.

In energy policy, the private sector is seeking the right to engage in power trading to improve competition and market efficiency. Private sector seeks power trading right highlighted the aim of enabling broader participation in power trading.

Society & Community

In Jajarkot, a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall has raised the death toll to three, with two people still missing. Jajarkot landslide reports that operations involving the Nepal Army and Armed Police are ongoing in Risang area of Bheri Municipality-2, where several others were injured. Two seriously injured individuals were referred for further treatment as search efforts continue for those unaccounted for.

In nearby Rolpa, landslides have killed 17 people over the past five days, with one person still missing. Rolpa landslide notes that rescue teams are working to locate the missing individual as the impacts of recent hazards continue to unfold.

Date: August 16, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Shrawan 31, 2083

Top News

1. जाजरकोेटको पहिरोमा परी मृत्यु हुनेको संख्या तीन पुग्यो, दुई जनाको खोजीकार्य जारी (newsofnepal.com)

In Jajarkot district, the death toll from a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall has risen to three, with two individuals still missing. The landslide occurred in Risang area of Bheri Municipality-2, injuring several others, including two individuals in critical condition who have been referred for further treatment. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, involving the Nepal Army and Armed Police, as efforts continue to locate the missing persons.

2. जाजरकोट विपद्प्रति मुख्यमन्त्री शाहीद्वारा दुःख व्यक्त, उद्धार र राहतमा जुट्न निर्देशन (www.ratopati.com)

Karnali Province Chief Minister Mangala Bahadur Shah expressed sorrow over the loss of life and property due to landslides and floods in Jajarkot. One person has died and three are missing in the affected areas, prompting Shah to coordinate rescue efforts with security agencies and the Ministry of Home Affairs. He assured that relief materials would be dispatched promptly based on accurate assessments of those affected.

3. Khagraj Bhatta appointed Sudurpaschim chief minister (theannapurnaexpress.com)

Khagraj Bhatta has been appointed as the Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province with the backing of the CPN-UML, following a claim made to Province Chief Nazir Miya. He is set to take the oath of office and secrecy at 3 pm today.

4. Prof Dr Baral appointed Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu University (theannapurnaexpress.com)

Prof Dr Bibek Baral has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu University by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, following a recommendation from the Vice Chancellor Selection and Recommendation Committee. Dr Baral, a professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department, is the first alumnus of Kathmandu University to achieve this position, holding degrees from Kathmandu University, Tokyo University, and Auckland University.

5. Rising meat and egg prices squeeze consumers, leave farmers struggling (english.onlinekhabar.com)

Egg and chicken prices in Nepal have surged despite traditionally lower demand during the month of Shrawan, leading to increased household expenses for consumers. The Nepal Layers Poultry Farmers Association reported a rise in farm-gate prices for eggs, with XL eggs increasing from Rs 465 to Rs 560 per crate, while consumers are paying Rs 30 per egg at retail, despite the association maintaining a consumer price of Rs 25. The rise in prices is attributed to bird flu affecting production, with significant losses reported among layer chickens, yet farmers continue to operate at a loss due to middlemen profiting excessively in the supply chain.

6. रोल्पा पहिरो : पछिल्लो ५ दिनमा १७ जनाको मृत्यु, १ अझै बेपत्ता (www.onlinekhabar.com)

In Rolpa, landslides have resulted in 17 deaths over the past five days, with one person still missing. Rescue operations are ongoing to locate the missing individual.

7. 4 UML ministers take oath in Sudurpaschim Province (english.onlinekhabar.com)

Four ministers from the CPN-UML, including a Minister of State, were sworn in for Sudurpaschim Province, with the oath administered by Province Chief Nazir Miya. Chief Minister Khagaraj Bhatta, appointed following the resignation of Nepali Congress leader Kamal Bahadur Shah, leads the new cabinet under a coalition agreement between CPN-UML and the Nepal Communist Party. The new ministers include Santosh Sharma Thapa (Social Development), Chakra Bahadur Malla (Economic Affairs), Daman Bhandari (Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives), and Janaki Air Bam (State Minister for Economic Affairs).

8. Private sector seeks power trading right (risingnepaldaily.com)

The private sector in Nepal is advocating for the right to engage in power trading. This move aims to enhance competition and efficiency within the energy market.

9. Government sets new salaries for constitutional officials (english.onlinekhabar.com)

The government has established new salary scales for constitutional officials, effective from July 17, 2026. The Chief Justice will earn Rs 112,522 monthly, while Supreme Court justices and members of the Judicial Council will receive Rs 93,547. Additionally, salaries for High Court judges have been set at Rs 90,640, and District Court judges at Rs 77,110, with various allowances provided for all judicial officials.

10. अनुभवहीन सरकारका कारण देश संकटमा : ओली (newsofnepal.com)

KP Sharma Oli, Chairman of the CPN-UML, criticized the current government for being inexperienced and shortsighted, claiming it has led the country into a crisis. Speaking at a meeting in Ilam, he argued that the new political forces lack the necessary skills and experience to govern effectively, and he emphasized the need for capable leadership to uphold the constitution and national interests.

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