KATHMANDU: Continuous rainfall since Friday afternoon has disrupted life across Nepal, affecting major highways, secondary roads, and all walks of life. Today’s Nepal News evening brief focuses on the widespread impact of heavy rain, flooding, landslides, ongoing updates on disaster risks, and the coordinated rescue and relief operations. Here’s what you need to know from today’s critical updates.

PM Sushila Karki Urges Vigilance as Heavy Rainfall Prompts Nationwide Alert and Two-Day Holiday:
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has called on citizens to remain alert and prioritize safety as continuous heavy rainfall raises the risk of floods, landslides, and inundation across Nepal. In a national address on Saturday, she cited meteorological warnings that rain is expected to persist for two more days, with river levels reaching dangerous heights. The Prime Minister said all security and administrative agencies are on 24-hour standby for rescue and relief efforts. Urging residents in vulnerable zones to heed official alerts, she announced two days of public holiday—Sunday and Monday—amid nationwide emergency preparedness measures.

6 Dead as Jeep Falls Off Road in Pachthar’s Kattike:
Six people, including the driver, died in a jeep accident at Kattike in Kummayak Rural Municipality-3, Pachthar, on Saturday afternoon. The Bolero jeep (registration Me 1 Ja 3055) was traveling from Sawa in Mikkakhola Rural Municipality to Dharan when it veered off the road and fell approximately 300 meters. Chief District Officer Arun Pokharel confirmed the fatalities and said the injured passengers have been transported to a hospital in Dharan for treatment. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, while local police and rescue teams have been deployed to assist and manage the incident site.

Long-Distance Vehicle Operations Suspended for Three Days Amid Heavy Rainfall and Disaster Risks:
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has suspended all long-distance vehicle operations entering or leaving Kathmandu Valley for three days starting Saturday, citing heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and risks of floods and landslides. Commuters are urged to avoid travel except in emergencies, while district officials and security agencies will enforce the restriction. The Nepali Army has six helicopters on standby, and police and Armed Police Force personnel are fully mobilized. Authorities have also prepared emergency warehouses, halted trekking activities, and are relocating residents in high-risk areas. Heavy rainfall is forecast across multiple provinces, including Bagmati, Koshi, and Lumbini.

Home Minister Aryal Vows Zero Human Casualties Amid Floods and Landslides
Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has assured that all efforts are being made to prevent human casualties amid floods and landslides caused by continuous rainfall. Addressing the public from the ministry’s control room, Aryal emphasized that government agencies have been instructed to focus on disaster rescue operations while ensuring good governance. He warned officials to avoid any malpractice during emergencies, noting that unlawful actions could escalate public dissatisfaction. The minister urged authorities to view the ongoing challenges as opportunities to protect lives and property, calling for full vigilance and coordination among all mechanisms under the ministry to minimize disaster impact.

Home Ministry Orders 24-Hour Duty for CDOs and Security Chiefs Amid Flood and Landslide Risks:
The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed Chief District Officers (CDOs) and all security agency heads across districts to remain in office 24 hours a day due to ongoing flood, landslide, and inundation risks. A circular signed by Undersecretary Nishant Raj Gautam instructs officials to coordinate for helicopter rescues if needed and to ensure transport for passengers stranded by flight cancellations. The directive also includes assisting ambulances, transporting pregnant women to nearby birthing centers, and arranging safe travel in coordination with transport operators. Following NDRRMA advisories, long-distance and Kathmandu Valley-bound vehicles are suspended for three days, with district authorities tasked to monitor and enforce the restrictions.

16 High-Risk Landslide Zones Identified Along Dhading Highways After Continuous Rainfall:
Authorities have identified at least 16 high-risk landslide zones along the Dhading sections of the Prithvi and Tribhuvan Highways following continuous rainfall. A joint inspection by the District Disaster Management Committee and technical experts on Saturday warned of possible road collapse at several key points leading to Kathmandu. The highest risk has been reported at Juwangkhola in Benighat Rorang–10. Other vulnerable sites include Jhyaple Khola, Char Kilo, Kamere Cliff, and multiple bridges along the route. Chief District Officer Bijaya Raj Subedi said regular vehicle movement has been restricted, with only emergency transport allowed under police supervision.

Kathmandu Schools on Standby as Rising River Levels Force Relocation of Flood-Prone Residents:
As flood risks rise after 24 hours of continuous rainfall, the Education Department of Kathmandu Metropolitan City has directed all community and institutional schools to remain on standby to shelter residents from disaster-prone areas. Authorities have begun relocating people living along riverbanks to nearby schools, with public institutions in Thali, Baneshwor, Koteshwor, and Dobhan designated as temporary shelters. At least 393 people have been relocated in kathamdnu valley. The Disaster Management Department reported that river levels, including the Bagmati and Bishnumati, are nearing dangerous limits. Schools have been asked to ensure toilets, drinking water, and safe spaces are available. Technical teams are actively monitoring high-risk zones across the city.

Birgunj Records Heaviest Rainfall in 12 Hours; Department Warns of Continued Downpour:
Birgunj in Parsa district has recorded the highest rainfall in the past 12 hours, with 143 millimeters, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. Bara followed closely with 140.4 mm, while Gaur and Maheshpur stations in Rautahat measured 129 mm and 124 mm respectively. The department categorized rainfall in Bara and Parsa as “very heavy,” noting that most precipitation occurred across the central Tarai region—from Nawalparasi to Dhankuta. Fourteen districts, including Sindhupalchok, Dolakha, and the Kathmandu Valley, received over 50 mm of rain. The department attributed the rainfall to moisture-laden Bay of Bengal winds and warned of continued widespread rain tonight.

AOAN Puts Helicopters on Standby for Nationwide Flood and Landslide Rescues:
The Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) has placed all its member helicopter companies on high alert as heavy rainfall continues to trigger floods and landslides across the country. AOAN President Manoj Karki said in a statement on Saturday that the helicopters are on standby for immediate rescue deployment in disaster-hit areas. The association has also announced free rescue services for residents affected within the Kathmandu Valley. To streamline operations, AOAN has requested the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal to assign coordination officers at Tribhuvan International Airport. Rescue missions will be carried out under their supervision.

Government Offices in Rautahat’s Gaur Submerged After 24 Hours of Rain:
Most government offices in Gaur, the district headquarters of Rautahat, have been submerged after nearly 24 hours of continuous rainfall. The inundation has affected major offices, including the District Administration Office, Land Revenue Office, Infrastructure Office, District Court, Survey Office, District Prison, Provincial Hospital, Chief District Officer’s residence, and several others within the customs area. The flooding resulted from the swelling of the Bagmati and Lal Bakaiya rivers. The District Administration Office has urged residents to remain cautious as water levels continue to rise. Superintendent of Police Netramani Giri confirmed that no human casualties have been reported so far.

NDRRMA Imposes Nighttime Ban on Vehicles Along River Corridors in Kathmandu Valley:
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has ordered a temporary ban on vehicular movement along riverbank and corridor roads in the Kathmandu Valley from 6:00 PM Saturday to 6:00 AM Sunday. The directive follows continuous heavy rainfall that has raised river levels and increased flood risks. The NDRRMA has instructed the three district administration offices in the Valley to strictly enforce the restriction to prevent accidents and ensure safety. Cautioning that rainfall is expected to intensify overnight, the authority warned that several low-lying areas and adjacent roads could face inundation if water levels continue to rise.

Bagmati River Overflow Floods Balkhu and Bishnumati Confluence; Residents Evacuated:
Continuous rainfall has caused the Bagmati River’s flow to intensify, resulting in flooding at the Balkhu and Bishnumati confluence areas. Authorities evacuated the Balkhu vegetable market and relocated residents from riverside squatter settlements, according to Armed Police Force spokesperson Shailendra Thapa. In the Balkhu–Kuleshwor area, about 100 households were moved to temporary shelters at Janvikas Secondary School, Balkhu. Since Friday afternoon, water levels in the Bagmati, Bishnumati, and Balkhu rivers have risen rapidly. Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepali Army, and municipal teams are conducting rescue and monitoring operations. No human casualties have been reported, but continued rainfall maintains high risk for further flooding.

Vehicular Movement Halted Along Muglin–Narayanghat Road Due to Heavy Rainfall:
Authorities have restricted the movement of all types of vehicles along the Muglin–Narayanghat road section following continuous rainfall and the growing risk of landslides. The Road Division Office in Bharatpur issued a notice on Saturday evening stating that the decision was taken to ensure public safety as heavy rain has destabilized slopes along the route. The office has urged travelers to avoid unnecessary journeys until further notice. Officials said technical teams are monitoring the situation and will resume traffic only after the area is deemed safe for passage. The section remains one of Nepal’s busiest transport corridors.

Heavy Rain Triggers Landslides, Blocks Six Major Highways Across Nepal:
Continuous rainfall since Friday night has caused multiple landslides, blocking six major highways nationwide. Key roads, including the BP Highway, Kantilo Highway, Araniko Highway, and Narayangadh–Muglin road, have been partially or fully obstructed. Landslides near Jholungepul in Bhaktapur, Takuche in Lalitpur, Mahalaxmi stream in Makwanpur, Mamti Khola and Buldhunga in Kavrepalanchok, Char Kilo in Sindhupalchok, and Tui Khola bridge in Chitwan have disrupted traffic. Kathmandu Valley traffic police spokesperson Naresh Raj Subedi urged travelers to avoid landslide-prone routes, use safe alternatives, and follow local administration instructions. Authorities are monitoring roads and coordinating with technical teams for clearance and emergency response.

Weather Forecast: Continuous Rain Expected Across Nepal, Heavy Rain in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki Provinces:
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has issued a three-day weather forecast warning of continued rainfall across Nepal. According to the bulletin released Saturday night, most areas in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces will experience cloudy skies with moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning in hilly and Tarai regions. Some areas in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces may see heavy rainfall, with a few locations receiving very heavy rain. Sunday is expected to remain cloudy with scattered moderate rain, while Monday will see partial improvement, though some hilly regions may still experience thunderstorms. Residents near rivers and streams are urged to remain vigilant.

All Domestic Flights Cancelled at Tribhuvan International Airport Due to Poor Visibility:
Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has cancelled all domestic flights following heavy rainfall and low visibility across the region. TIA spokesperson Rinji Sherpa confirmed on Saturday that the adverse weather conditions have made it unsafe for domestic air travel. Passengers are advised to check with airlines for updates and rescheduling. Despite the domestic cancellations, international flights at TIA continue to operate as scheduled. Authorities are closely monitoring weather developments, and air traffic operations will resume once conditions improve, ensuring safety for all passengers and crew members amid ongoing heavy rains in the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding areas.

Ministry Urges Communication Providers to Ensure Services Amid Heavy Rainfall:
The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has urged all communication service providers to ensure uninterrupted services as heavy rainfall raises the risk of disruptions to communication infrastructure. In a meeting held on Saturday with Minister Jagadish Kharel, officials from all agencies were instructed to remain prepared to provide accurate, fast, and reliable information to the public. The minister emphasized the critical coordination role of the communication sector during disasters. The ministry also shared emergency contact numbers for service providers: NTC 1498, Ncell 9005, ISPAN 9851026241, NTA 01-5522322/01-5523203, and the ministry 01-4211563/01-4211151.

Prachanda Calls on CPN (Maoist Center) Members to Join Flood and Landslide Relief Efforts:
Maosit general convention organizing committee coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has urged party members to actively participate in rescue and relief operations for people affected by natural disasters. In a statement shared on his social media account, the former Prime Minister highlighted the mobilization of thousands of YCL members already engaged in supporting flood, landslide, and inundation victims caused by incessant rainfall. Prachanda instructed all party cadres to join hands in assisting affected communities, emphasizing coordinated efforts in rescue, relief, and support to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens during the ongoing heavy rains.

UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel Urges Party Cadres to Support Nationwide Disaster Response:
CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has called on party cadres across the country to remain ready to assist in disaster management as heavy rainfall continues to heighten the risk of floods, landslides, and inundation. In a public appeal issued on Saturday, Pokharel urged local party committees to coordinate with government agencies and prioritize public safety. He appealed to citizens to act with unity and solidarity during the crisis. “Every responsible citizen and our party structures must be at the forefront of protecting people and conducting rescue operations,” Pokharel said, emphasizing immediate support for those affected by disasters.