Sudden political changes, government budgeting and administrative restructuring, and ongoing public safety concerns dominated today’s Nepal news.
Politics & Governance
Khagraj Bhatta was appointed as Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province, with preparations under way for his oath-taking and secrecy ceremony. Khagraj Bhatta is backed by the CPN-UML following a claim made to Province Chief Nazir Miya. Separately, four CPN-UML ministers took oath in the provincial cabinet including portfolios for social development, economic affairs, and land management, agriculture and cooperatives.
Courts & Accountability
No court or formal accountability proceedings were reported in the provided briefs today.
Economy & Business
The Ministry of Finance has recommended repurposing the Biratnagar Jute Mill into a museum as part of efforts to preserve and potentially revive the site’s legacy. Biratnagar Jute Mills remains operational, but the broader industrial revival challenge is still described as slow-moving. In parallel, Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City approved an annual budget of Rs 2.76 billion, with funding priorities spanning infrastructure, education, healthcare, and disaster management under Dharan’s approved budget.
Society & Community
Public safety and disaster response remained a key focus, with Rolpa landslide impacts worsening amid continued searches. The Rolpa landslide raised the death toll to seven while five people remained missing as rainfall and mudslides complicated rescue operations. Separately, Nepal Police moved to establish an Anti-Cyber Scam Centre after a rise in scams involving hacking of mobile banking and digital wallets.
Date: August 15, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Shrawan 30, 2083
Top News
1. अर्थ मन्त्रालयले संग्रहालय बनाउन सिफारिस गरेको विराटनगर जुट मिल चलाउने सरकारको कसरत (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The Ministry of Finance has recommended the establishment of a museum at the Biratnagar Jute Mill, which is currently operational. This initiative is part of the government's efforts to promote the historical significance of the mill.
2. 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. Bhatta is set to take the oath of office and secrecy today at 3 pm.
3. 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 led by Education Minister Sashmit Pokharel. Dr Baral, a professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department, is notable for being the first alumnus of Kathmandu University to achieve this position. He holds degrees from Kathmandu University, Tokyo University, and Auckland University, with expertise in fuel and power, combustion science, and environmental pollution.
4. Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City approves annual budget of Rs 2.76 billion (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City has approved an annual budget of Rs 2.76 billion for the current fiscal year, focusing on infrastructure, education, healthcare, and disaster management. Acting Mayor Ayindra Bikram Begha announced allocations of Rs 2.47 billion for the municipal executive and Rs 287 million for ward offices, with projected revenue of Rs 1.40 billion and federal grants of Rs 862 million.
5. बागमतीमा मन्त्रालय गाभिएपछि प्रदेश सचिवको क्षेत्रगत जिम्मेवारी तोकियो (nepalnews.com)
The Bagmati Province government has assigned sectoral responsibilities to provincial secretaries following the merger of ministries. In a cabinet meeting on August 14, it was decided that these responsibilities will remain until the organizational and management survey of the merged ministries is completed. Key appointments include Mahesh Bhattarai for internal affairs, law, and cooperatives, and various officials assigned to sectors under the ministries of industry, commerce, tourism, labor, and health.
6. 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 by Province Chief Nazir Miya in Sudurpaschim Province. Chief Minister Khagaraj Bhatta, who leads the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) in the provincial assembly, was appointed following the resignation of Kamal Bahadur Shah from the Nepali Congress. 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 (Minister of State for Economic Affairs).
7. Rolpa landslide death toll rises to 7, 5 still missing (english.onlinekhabar.com)
The death toll from a landslide in Rolpa has increased to seven, with five individuals still unaccounted for. The landslide occurred in Kotlabara, Thabang Rural Municipality-5, and the deceased have been identified, including children and elderly individuals. Rescue operations are hindered by ongoing rainfall and mudslides, with a joint team from the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police conducting searches for the missing.
8. 60 persons drown in Lumbini Province in four months (risingnepaldaily.com)
In Lumbini Province, 60 individuals have drowned over the past four months, attributed to the onset of summer and monsoon rains. Local authorities are urging residents to exercise caution around water bodies to prevent further incidents.
9. Biratnagar Jute Mills: A historic legacy awaiting revival (risingnepaldaily.com)
Biratnagar Jute Mills, a significant part of the Sunsari-Morang industrial corridor, is facing challenges in revival despite its historic legacy. Efforts are being made to restore its operations and boost local employment, but progress remains slow.
10. Nepal Police moves to establish anti-cyber scam centre (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Nepal Police has initiated the establishment of an 'Anti-Cyber Scam Centre' to combat the rising incidents of cyber scams, including hacking of mobile banking and digital wallets. DIG Abinarayan Kafle stated that a framework is being developed, involving representatives from various agencies such as Nepal Rastra Bank, the Nepal Bankers’ Association, and digital wallet service providers, who will coordinate responses to cyber scam cases from the Cyber Bureau.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 152.99 |
| CAD → NPR | 110.15 |
| AUD → NPR | 108.24 |
| GBP → NPR | 206.92 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.61 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4376.52 | NPR 251,086.15 |
| Silver | $64.73 | NPR 3,713.64 |
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.
