Two elderly men succumb to cold in makeshift shelters in Jajarkot

As the government's negligence reached the pick, additional two quake-hit elderly men died of cold today.

"Two elderly people living in makeshift tarpaulin shelters in Jajarkot passed away due to cold weather today," confirmed Barekot Rural Municipality chairperson Bir Bahadur Gurung. 

The deceased have been identified as Dhuleshwar Karki of Bheri Municipality-2 and Narendra Bahadur Singh of Jiri in Barekot Rural Municipality-4. Both were living in makeshift shelters after their homes were damaged by the earthquake.

According to Gurung, both Karki and Singh were asthma patients, and the cold weather aggravated their health.

More than 34,000 people in Jajarkot are living in makeshift tarpaulin shelters as the earthquake has rendered their houses inhabitable, with the elderly, children, and new mothers being the most affected.

Despite huge relief materials and hefty cash assistance from inside and out of the country, the governments failed to manage the distribution of relief materials, especially in the cold season.

According to the chief district officer (CDO) of Jajarkot Suresh Sunar, children, new mothers, chronically ill, and the elderly living in makeshift shelters are more affected. "Two chronic patients living in makeshift shelters died due to cold in Nalgad-4 last week," he said, claiming that they are taking needful initiatives to manage the situation. But the death of citizens exposed their inefficiency and negligence towards the people. 

The government has already collected a fund of Rs 152.80 million for helping the victims of the Jajarkot earthquake.

According to spokesperson at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministries (OPMCM) Narayan Prasad Bhatta, the amount has been collected in the Prime Minister Natural Disaster Relief Fund. Though, the government claimed to utilise the amount for supporting the victims of the Jajarkot earthquake that hit the area two weeks ago, people are suffering, especially due to cold weather, and failed to provide respite to the quake-affected.

The tremor had claimed 153 lives and left hundreds of others injured and homeless.

Odd-even rule for public transportation lifted

After the public outcry, the three District Administration Offices (DAOs) in Kathmandu Valley today decided to lift the odd-even rule for public transportation.

A meeting of the chief district officers (CDOs) of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts held today, but decided to continue the rule in case of taxis and all kinds of private vehicles.

The valley administration has tried to limit the number of public transportation including buses, microbuses and tempos to check the spread of third wave of Covid-19. But the less number of public transportation forced the public to travel in crowed situation, spreading the Corona virus.

The Covid-19 Crisis Management Coordination Committee (CCMCC) also recommended the administration to remove the odd-even rule in case of public transportation including buses, microbuses and tempos.

Like the public health experts, the CCMC also concluded that the implementation of odd-even rule has only increased risk of further transmission of Covid-19 as most  public transportation were seen overcrowded after the odd-even rule was enforced to contain further spread of Covid-19.

The CCMCC meeting today also recommended the government to continue the closure of schools and colleges, and continue with virtual classes till mid- February. Earlier, the CCMC meeting had decided to suspend physical classes in schools and colleges till January end only.

Prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley extended with relaxation on development works

 The District Administration Offices of the three districts in Kathmandu valley decided to further extend the prohibitory order for yet another week, though they have vowed to relax development works.

A virtual meeting of the Chief District Officers (CDOs) of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur – after consulting with the Home Ministry – decided to extend the ban on movement for the third time.

But, they said that the time frame for purchasing essential goods has also been extended till 11am from the previous 9am. The authorities have also allowed shops and vehicles related to development works from 2pm to 9pm. “National pride projects and industries related to essential services can also operate by setting up quarantine facilities,” a press note issued by the Kathmandu district CDO reads. 

The CDOs have, however, changed the modality of prohibitory order at the request of the private sector. The private sector had recommended partial lifting of the prohibitory order to make people lives easier as they have been facing hardship due to absolute closure of all kinds of activities in last 15 days.

“Due to sharp spike in number of daily cases in the valley with a huge concentration of active cases,” the CDOs decided to extend the prohibitory order for another week,” the press note reads.

Earlier, the CDOs of the three districts in the valley had issued prohibitory order on August 19 and extended on August 27 again. “Prohibitory orders in Kathmandu Valley have once again been extended by another week–until September 9 midnight,” CDO of Lalitpur Narayan Prasad Bhatta said, adding that they are trying to make the restrictions more effective. “A standard for online home delivery is being prepared and home delivery will be allowed with strict implementation of the health protocol,” he said, adding that anyone wishing to enter the Valley for emergency work must have the coronavirus RT PCR negative report. “

Likewise, the local administrations in the Valley have also instructed the ward committee offices to monitor whether the people whose swabs have been taken for the coronavirus test and those on the list of contact tracing are living in home isolation. ““Those violating home quarantine rules will be punished as per the Infectious Disease Act 1964.”

Week-long prohibitory order in Kathmandu Valley from Wednesday midnight

 A meeting of security agencies and Chief District Officers (CDOs) of the three districts in Kathmandu Valley today decided to issue prohibitory orders on movement of people and vehicles from Wednesday midnight.

“The prohibitory order has been issued to discourage unwarranted movement of people to control the increasing spread of coronavirus infection in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur,” according to a press note issued by the CDOs of the three districts of the Valley.

“Movement of all vehicles except those providing emergency and essential services will be halted,” reads the 17-point prohibitory order.

Earlier in the afternoon, a meeting of security agencies representatives and CDOs held in the District Administration Office of Kathmandu district, discussed the current modality of lockdown in Kathmandu Valley.

The government decision comes amid a record number of 1,016 new infections on Tuesday, the highest daily spike in Covid-19 cases, as the national tally reaches 28,257. The Kathmandu Valleyalone reported some 205 new cases, the highest single-day infections, while seven people died due to Covid-19-related complications in a day, today.

The government has already granted discretionary powers to CDOs to impose prohibitory orders or even a curfew in their respective districts to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The CDOs can finalise the modality of the prohibitory order on their own. 

“The chief district officers can also use the provisions of the Local Administration Act-2028,” according to the Finance Minister and government spokesperson Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada. “The government has decided that the districts, in which a prohibitory order has been imposed, would require both government and public offices to use a minimum number of employees at offices and to make arrangements for the rest of staff to work from home,” he said, adding that the discretionary powers also allow the CDOs to take necessary measures to contain the Covid-19 situation under Clause 2 (2) of the Infectious Disease Act-1964 in coordination with the District Corona Crisis Management Centre. “

On August 14, the local administration offices had imposed restrictions on various activities and services in the Valley due to rising number of coronavirus cases. Restaurants were limited to takeaways and deliveries, while all festivities, gatherings and public functions in open spaces had been banned.

Earlier, on March 24, the government imposed lockdown – to contain the spread of coronavirus – for 4 months, though the economy bleed red. The government was forced to lift the lockdown – after 120 days – to rescue the economy but failed.

Valley traders open shops after 73 days

The Valley traders today defied government lockdown orders – after 73 days – and opened their shops. The government has imposed lock down since March 24, and after extending it for eighth time has kept until June 14.
After the traders opening their shops, the chief district officers (CDOs) of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur invited the traders to discuss the safety and security of the business.
The chief district officers of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur after holding an emergency meeting with the traders, who boycotted the lockdown and opened their shops, said that they are positive on easing the lockdown.
The meeting discussed ways to manage the lockdown in a safe and proper way, chief district officer of Kathmandu Janak Dahal said, adding that opening businesses without safety precautions could raise the risk of coronavirus transmission and burden the health facilities.
“The local administration offices of the three cities also held talks with the traders after the emergency meeting,” he added.
Nepal Chambers of Commerce (NCC) – representing the traders – hold discussion with the three CDOs of the Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. “I discussed with chief district officer of Kathmandu Janak Dahal, chief district officer of Lalitpur Narayan Prasad Bhatta, and chief district officer of Bhaktapur Humkala Pandey,” Shrestha said, after the meeting. “We have also recommended to let the businesses operate with safety and security by changing the modality of the lockdown,” he said, adding that they have offered to help businesses.
The local traders yesterday decided to open their businesses saying the lockdown is hurting their livelihood.
The president of Nepal National Traders’ Federation Naresh Katuwal said that since the lockdown has put thousands of people on the verge of losing their jobs and businesses, they decided to open their businesses from 8 to 11 in the morning by taking the necessary health and safety precautions advised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

IBN, Chinese company seal deal for Damak Industrial Park

The government and Damak Clean Industrial Park Pvt Ltd (DCIPPL) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the construction of the 'China-Nepal Friendship Industrial Park' in Province 1.
The chief executive of Investment Board Nepal (IBN) Maha Prasad Adhikari and the chairman of DCIPPL, Govinda Bahadur Thapa signed the MoU amid a ceremony held in the capital today.
The industrial park – located at Damak in Jhapa district – is going to be built with a total investment of around Rs 64 billion from Chinese investor Lhasa Economic and Technology Development Zone Jing-Ping Joint Creation Construction Project Development Co Ltd.
Spread over an area of 1,600 hectares, the industrial park will be built in public-private partnership (PPP) model, according to the IBN. “The government has already completed the process of land acquisition to construct the park. The construction will start as soon as the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for construction, operation and management of the industrial park is presented followed by the Project Development Agreement (PDA), the board informed, adding that the park will be spread over Gauradaha municipality, Kamal rural municipality and Damak municipality of Jhapa. “The project is the first one in Nepal supported under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China.”
The project is expected to add a new dimension in sectors like expansion of investment between Nepal and China and infrastructure development. The project is also expected to contribute to the expansion of physical infrastructure, fulfill local demand, and support export promotion, according to vice mayor of Lhasa Municipal People's Government Liu Guang Min.
Speaking on the occasion of MoU signing, Liu said that the industrial park will contribute toward employment generation and socio-economic development of Nepal.
Likewise, chairman of the industrial park Govinda Thapa said that the construction work of the project will present a model of efficiency and transparency. “The project will establish a new model of development in Nepal,” he said, adding that the project will give us a model that the entire country and the people can be proud of.
Likewise, Adhikari, on the occasion, said that the construction of the industrial park will contribute to the development of Nepal. Chairman of the Industrial Area Development Limited Nanda Kishor Basnet said that the project will be Nepal's model project. “Nepal did not have projects other than hydropower projects in PPP model,” he said adding that that it would be Nepal's first non-hydro project under PPP model.
The signing of the MoU precedes the visit of Chinese president Xi Jinping that is scheduled for next week.
Though the government has approved Chinese investment of Rs 64 billion to construct Nepal-China Friendship Industrial Park, the construction work is still unsure as the landlords are not in consensus about the use of their lands.
Some of the landlords have not accepted the compensation amount stating that the amount is too low.
According to Industrial Area Development Limited, some 117 landlords have received Rs 120.7 million till now. The compensation has been distributed according to the recommendation from a committee formed under the coordination of the Chief District Officer (CDO).
The District Administration Office has classified the land into three category: cultivable land, riverside land and land occupied by bushes. Compensation of Rs 2.2 million has been approved for a bigha of cultivable land, Rs 800,000 for land occupied by bushes, and Rs 200,000 for riverside land. The government has provided Rs 430.44 million for compensation distribution.
The government has distributed the compensation to the landlords of Damak Municipality, Gauradaha Municipality, and Kamal Rural Municipality. However, landlords of 61 units of land have not been identified.
Basnet said that the construction work will begin by mid-December in 500 bigha land of Jharka in Kamal-7. However, the landlords of Kamal-7 have suspected the government's intention and blaming that it is a ploy to capture their land. “No paper has mentioned that the land is taken for the establishment of the Industrial Park, they blamed, adding that it might be a strategy of the government to buy the land for cheap. The landlords have also claimed that the recommended compensation amount is less the government valuation of their land. “A compensation of Rs 200,000 per bigha is recommended,” they said, adding, “However, government rate is Rs 700,000 per bigha.
Basnet, however, claimed that the compensation amount has been decided according to the Land Acquisition Act.

Billions lost, dozens killed by rainstorm in Southern Nepal

At least 27 people were killed and more than 400 were injured in a severe wind and rainstorm that swept through two districts in southern Nepal yesterday evening.
Confirming the heavy rainstorm and windstorm in Bara and Parsa, chief district officer of Bara Rajesh Poudel said that the police and rescue personnel have been dispatched to the affected villages in Bara and Parsa. "But they could not reach the village due to heavy rain during the night," he said, adding that the office is coordinating with the local representatives to speed up the rescue operations. "Hospitals in both the districts have seen influx of the injured."
The local and provincial governments have been trying to reach the victims of the suspected tornado that has been witnessed in Nepal. "The trees have been uprooted due to heavy wind," the locals said, adding that they have not seen such devastating in their life. "The rainstorms hit just ahead of dinner time yesterday evening."
Most of the homes made from mud have collapsed as the electricity poles and trees fell on them, according to a local lawmaker, who visited the affected area. "I have not seen such devastation as the storm swept homes in the villages."
Though, the rescue teams from Nepal Police, Nepal Army and the Armed Police Force have been deployed overnight, the rough weather has been holding back the night vision helicopters to fly to the affected areas.
The provincial and federal government officials and ministers are preparing to fly to Province 2 to take stock of the rainstorm affected areas.
Likewise, losses to the agricultural, industrial and energy sectors are also expected to billions. Though, there has been no casualty reported from the industrial corridor of Bara and Parsa, industrial infrastructure has been destroyed. According to industrialists, the industrial corridors have seen huge loss of infrastructure as well as products.
According to vice-president of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Anil Kumar Agrawal, most of the factories in the industrial area were damaged. "The windstorm blew away roofs of some industrial buildings damaging the products that were stored in buildings due to rain that followed the storm," he said, adding that almost all the industrial buildings have collapsed while roofs of a few remaining buildings were ripped away. "All the raw materials, machinery and other equipment have also been destroyed by the storm."
"Trishakti Cement, Kalash Cement and Bishwakarma Cement have witnessed major loss due to the storm."
The affected areas donot have power supply as all the electricity poles have been knocked down. "“The industrial area may have witnessed losses worth billions,” he said, adding that the actual loss can be calculated only after a few weeks when the situation normalise. "But the business fraternity has started distribution of relief materials despite their losses."
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) estimated its losses to be around Rs150 million due to the damage to the electricity distribution system in Bara and Parsa districts. Around 2,000 electricity poles were knocked down by the powerful rainstorm.
The storm also damaged the 132 kV Parwanipur-Raxaul cross-border transmission line. Nepal has been importing 50 MW of electricity from India through the transmission line. The rainstorm also wrecked another 33 kV Birgunj-Raxaul cross-border transmission line that is being used to import 12 MW from the southern neighbour.
The storm damaged the 66 kV Parwanipur-Birgunj double-circuit line and the 33 kV Birgunj-Kalaiya line leading to a disruption in electricity supply in Birgunj city. According to the NEA, electricity supply from Kalaiya sub-station has been restored after maintenance.