KATHMANDU: Stay updated with Nepal News’ evening briefing, bringing you the day’s most important developments from Nepal and across the globe. From politics and economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we deliver a concise roundup of the top news you need to know today.

Monsoon Havoc: Death Toll Climbs to 52 Across Nepal

Continuous rainfall over the past two days has triggered floods, landslides, lightning strikes, and road accidents across Nepal, raising the nationwide death toll to 52. Seven people remain missing and 29 have been injured. Koshi Province has suffered the heaviest losses. According to the Armed Police Force Headquarters, Ilam alone reported 37 fatalities due to landslides and floods, while other districts in the province accounted for 12 more deaths. One person remains missing in Koshi, and at least 17 people have been injured.

NAC to Operate Airbus A320 Flights Between Kathmandu And Bhairahawa Tomorrow

Floods and landslides across Nepal have severely disrupted road transport, prompting Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) to operate special flights between Kathmandu and Bhairahawa on Monday (October 6) using an Airbus A320. According to NAC spokesperson Subas Dangi, two flights have been scheduled to ease passenger movement after highways were blocked by landslides. The Airbus will depart from Kathmandu at 1:00 pm and return from Bhairahawa at 2:45 pm.

Water Flow at Koshi Barrage Rises to 523,795 Cusecs

The water flow at the Koshi Barrage has surged to 523,795 cusecs per second as of 6 p.m. Sunday, according to official measurements. Continuous rainfall since Saturday has raised concerns that the flow may increase further. Superintendent of Police Keshav Kumar Thebe of Sunsari reported that while small and medium vehicles are still operating, heavy cargo trucks have been restricted. Authorities warned that if the water level rises further, traffic across the barrage will be halted completely.

Landslides in Ilam Claim 37 Lives

The death toll from landslides in Ilam district has risen to 37. According to Ilam’s Superintendent of Police, Ek Narayan Koirala, landslides continued from Saturday night through Sunday afternoon. Six people died in Sandakpur, eight in Maijogmai Rural Municipality, six in Ilam Municipality, one in Phakphokthum Rural Municipality, three in Mangsebung Rural Municipality, eight in Deumai Municipality, and five in Suryodaya Municipality. Four people remain missing due to the landslides, Koirala added. Moderate rain prevailed until Saturday afternoon, but heavy rainfall began overnight.

Monsoon Weakens as Low-Pressure System Moves Out of Nepal

The low-pressure system responsible for recent rainfall has moved out of Nepal, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) reported. With its departure, the monsoon has weakened and weather conditions have begun to improve. However, the monsoon has not fully withdrawn, and authorities continue to closely monitor weather and potential flood risks. In a press release on Sunday, the DHM noted that from the evening of October 3 to 5, heavy to very heavy rainfall occurred across most parts of Madhesh and Bagmati provinces.

Indian PM Pledges Support to Nepal Following Floods and Landslides

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern over the loss of lives and damage caused by heavy rains in Nepal. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Modi stated, “The loss of lives and damage caused by heavy rains in Nepal is distressing. We stand with the people and Government of Nepal in this difficult time. As a friendly neighbor and first responder, India remains committed to providing any assistance that may be required.”

Traffic Resumes on Key Routes as Landslides Cleared

Traffic has begun resuming on several key highways, including the Araniko Highway, Charikot–Kathmandu road, and sections of the Prithvi Highway, after landslides disrupted movement over the past few days. Authorities at the Road Division Office, Bhaktapur, and the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, confirmed that landslides in parts of Kavre, Sindhupalchok, Dhading, Nuwakot, and Makwanpur have been cleared, allowing vehicles to move along these routes. Vehicles from Sindhupalchok, Dolakha, Kavre, and other districts are now using the Araniko Highway and Charikot road.

Heavy Rain Disrupts Life Across Madhesh

Since Friday night, continuous heavy rainfall accompanied by thunder has affected life across most districts of Madhesh, including Dhanusha. The persistent downpour during the festive Dashain period has made it nearly impossible for people to go outside, disrupting daily life. Even for essential errands, residents have been unable to leave their homes. Many could not visit relatives to receive the traditional Dashain tika and jamara due to the relentless rain. The provincial capital, Janakpurdham, has been severely waterlogged, further complicating movement and daily activities.

Life Returns to Kathmandu After The Downpour

With rainfall stopping early Sunday morning, life in the Kathmandu Valley is gradually returning to normal. The sky is slowly clearing, and vehicle traffic on the roads is increasing. Shops that had closed due to heavy rains during Dashain and the subsequent downpour have started reopening.  Some private offices have also resumed operations. Flights affected by Saturday’s heavy rain at Tribhuvan International Airport are now fully operational. The airport office confirmed that both domestic and international flights are running on schedule.

Minister Ghising Credits Disaster Management for Fewer Casualties

Minister for Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, stated that while continuous rainfall and floods over the past two days have caused significant physical damage, human lives have largely been spared. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, he credited the government’s proactive disaster management measures and timely information flow for preventing casualties. However, he acknowledged that landslides in Ilam, triggered by heavy rainfall, have caused human losses in some settlements.

BP Highway Repair to Take Seven Days, Says Roads Director

Director General of the Department of Roads, Bijay Jaisi, has stated that it will take seven days to repair the BP Highway. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, he provided this update. He explained that the river’s flow is currently high, and repair work will begin as soon as the water level decreases. “Work has started from today. Because last year’s floods also caused road damage, it may take some time to complete,” Director General Jaisi said during the press briefing.

Ministry Deploys Teams to Restore Blocked Roads

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) has deployed equipment, manpower, and resources to repair roads damaged by recent heavy rains and landslides across Nepal. Work is progressing day and night, with priority given to reopening key highways such as the Prithvi Highway (Kathmandu–Pokhara), Narayanghat–Muglin Highway, BP Highway (Bhakunde–Nepalthok section), and Mechi Highway, where diversions have been created to facilitate traffic.

Fugitive Sharma Rearrested in Fake Bhutanese Refugee Case

Sandesh Sharma, who was being held at the Central Jail in Sundhara in connection with the fake Bhutanese refugee case, was arrested on Sunday. A joint team from the Valley Police Office, Ranipokhari, and the Valley Crime Investigation Office apprehended him from Bakhundol, Lalitpur. Sharma had escaped from jail on September 9 during the Gen Z movement. A resident of Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City-16, Dang, he is being taken back to the Central Jail to serve the remaining term of his sentence.

Release of Film ‘Abhimanyu: Chapter 1’ Postponed Again

The release of the film ‘Abhimanyu: Chapter 1’ has been postponed once more. Originally slated for public release on September 9, the film’s release has now been shifted to November 7. Producer Binod Paudel cited the ongoing heavy rainfall and the resulting damage across various regions as the reason for delaying the film. This marks the third change in the film’s release schedule. Initially set for September 9, the release was first postponed to September 29 due to the Gen Z protests. However, multiple other films, including ‘Haribahadur ko Jutta’, ‘Maitighar’, and ‘Balidan’, were scheduled for the same date, prompting a further reschedule to October 10.

Filming of ‘Malati Mangle’ Completed

The shooting of ‘Malati Mangle’ has concluded after the scheduled 31-day filming period. The film was shot in Tanahun and Syangja. Produced by popular singer Ramkrishna Dhakal under the banner of Rani Music International Pvt. Ltd. in collaboration with Uni Entertainment, the film’s co-producers include Babu Subedi, Rabin Shrestha, Bedana Karmacharya Shrestha, and Swikriti Basnet. The film, a family love story, is directed by Praku Pandey.

Singer Durgesh Thapa Supports Gen Z Protest Victims

Singer Durgesh Thapa visited several hospitals in Kathmandu to meet individuals injured during the Gen Z protests. He pledged that a portion of his earnings would be allocated for the treatment of the injured. During his visit, 11 patients received financial assistance of Rs 10,000 each. Thapa also promised to support the families of the injured as much as possible, emphasizing his responsibility as a citizen before being a musician. He further mentioned that he had postponed certain programs due to the Gen Z protests.

Nepal Football Team Retains Same Squad for AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers

Nepal’s national football team head coach Matt Ross has retained the same squad for the two upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying matches against Vietnam. The team announced on Sunday includes players who last played against Hong Kong. Captain Kiran Kumar Limbu, Bishal Sunar, and Deep Karki will guard the goalposts. The defensive line consists of Ananta Tamang, Sumit Shrestha, Suman Shrestha, Abhishek Limbu, Sanish Shrestha, Rohit Chand, and Bimal Pandey. Nepal will face Vietnam in two matches as part of the qualifiers.

Nepal Defeats Oman by 6 Wickets in First Practice Match

The Nepali cricket team, currently in Oman for the T20 World Cup Qualifiers, began their campaign on a winning note by defeating Oman by six wickets in their first practice match. Batting first, Oman was restricted to 110 runs in 20 overs, losing nine wickets. Nepal successfully chased down the target in just 17 overs, finishing at 111 for 4. Opener Aasif Sheikh starred with a brilliant half-century, scoring 61 runs, while captain Rohit Paudel contributed 25. Kushal Bhurtel (11) and Kushal Malla (10) added useful runs to secure the victory.

Nepal Suffers Second Defeat Against Malaysia in T20I Series

Nepal faced its second defeat in the T20I series after losing to hosts Malaysia by 13 runs in the third match on Sunday. With this result, Nepal trails 2–1 in the five-match series. Malaysia set a modest target of 121 runs, but Nepal managed only 107 for eight wickets. Opener Rubi Poddar top-scored with 31 runs off 37 balls, including two fours. She and fellow opener Samjhana Khadka shared a 41-run stand for the first wicket, with Khadka adding 18 runs. Earlier, after winning the toss at Bayumas Cricket Oval in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia posted 120 runs for four wickets in 20 overs.

At Least 70 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Strikes as Egypt Talks Begin

Diplomatic negotiators have gathered in Egypt ahead of talks aimed at ending nearly two years of conflict in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed hope that hostages held in Gaza could be released within days, even as Israel’s military continued airstrikes across the territory. Over the past 24 hours, at least 70 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks. Meanwhile, Israel’s military reported intercepting a missile launched from Yemen, attributed to the Houthi movement.

Poland Scrambles Jets as Ukraine Says 5 Killed in Russian Strikes

Russia pounded Ukraine with missile and drone attacks overnight on Saturday and into Sunday morning, focusing on the major western city of Lviv. Ukraine’s neighbour Poland scrambled fighter jets in order to ensure the safety of Polish airspace, the Polish military confirmed. Allied Nato aircraft were also deployed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said five people died in Russian strikes across the country. Four of those deaths were in Lviv, the region’s head Maksym Kozytskyi said.

Syrian Electors Vote in Indirect Polls for First Post-Assad Parliament

Syria is holding parliamentary elections for the first time since the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, a landmark moment in the country’s fragile transition after nearly 14 years of war. Members of Syria’s electoral colleges gathered on Sunday to vote for the new lawmakers in a process being criticised as undemocratic, with a third of the 210 members of the revamped People’s Assembly appointed by interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa.