Himalaya Airlines to operate Pokhara-Lhasa flights

Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) is going to see first regular international flight, almost two years after coming into operations. A Nepal-China joint airline company Himalaya Airlines is starting its regular international flights between Pokhara and Lhasa of China. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) confirmed the flights. "The Pokara-Lhasa flight is expected to start from the first week of January, 2025," the aviation sector regulator confirmed.

Himalaya Airlines has already submitted its schedule for the Pokhara-Lhasa route, informed CAAN joint spokesperson Gyanendra Bhul. "After almost two years, Pokhara Regional International Airport is expected to witness international flights," he said, adding that regular flights on the route could significantly boost the inflow of Chinese tourists to Pokhara.

Himalaya Airlines is planning to start flights on Pokhara-Lhasa route using a 144-seat Airbus A-319. "The flights will begin as soon as the Civil Aviation Administration of China grants permission,” Bhul said, adding that Nepal side has completed all necessary preparations.

According to the schedule, the airline will operate a Kathmandu-Lhasa-Pokhara flight on Mondays, spending the night in Pokhara before flying Pokhara-Lhasa-Kathmandu on Tuesdays. 

Himalaya Airlines is currently flying on Kathmandu-Lhasa route. But due to lack of passengers the flights -- earlier three times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) -- have been reduced and irregular. But the airlines has prepared a new schedule and hopefully continue the regular flights.

Himalaya Airlines has also received approval for Kathmandu-Lhasa-Kathmandu flights on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Government and World Bank launch $128 million project to improve provincial and local road network

The Government of Nepal and the World Bank jointly launched the $128 million (equivalent to Rs 17.15 billion) Provincial and Local Roads Improvement Programme-Phase 1, today. 

The project aims to enhance the connectivity, efficiency, resilience, and safety of Nepal’s provincial and local road network while also strengthening the government's ability to manage the road network, according to a press note issued by the World Bank. "The programme will be implemented by the Ministry of Urban Development in coordination with the provincial and local levels." 

The project was launched by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh in the presence of provincial ministers of physical infrastructure and development from Sudurpashchim, Karnali, and Madhesh provinces.

“This project promotes the spirit of federalism embodied in the constitution bringing together the three tiers of government to work for the benefit of Nepalis," Shrestha said, adding that the focus of the project on environment-friendly and climate-resilient construction techniques and five-year maintenance component is key to supporting sustainable infrastructure development. 

The first phase of the project will upgrade and improve 180km of selected provincial roads and bridges, undertake maintenance of 400km and 700km of existing provincial roads and bridges respectively, and construct 100km of all-weather roads and bridges to provide connectivity to prioritized municipalities and local levels.

"This project will help improve Nepal's road infrastructure with a focus on resilience, and safety," said  World Bank Regional Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka David Sislen. “By working closely with the Government of Nepal, we are committed to ensuring better access to essential services and economic opportunities for millions of Nepalis.”

The first of the three-phase project will be implemented in Sudurpashchim, Karnali, and Madhesh provinces and 13 municipalities which will be scaled up in future phases. About one million people are expected to benefit from improved access to all-weather, resilient, and safe provincial and local roads and bridges.

At the launch event, a tri-partite memorandum of understanding was signed between the federal, provincial, and local governments of Sudurpashchim, Karnali, and Madhesh provinces for the implementation of the project.

The project will incorporate several best practices, such as five-year performance-based maintenance combined with construction contracts, routine maintenance conducted by self-help groups, complementary community-led infrastructure projects, pilot testing alternative connectivity methods and rural transport services, development of approach roads, and implementation of an online programme monitoring and management system.

Provinces press prime minister over unmet demands for key powers

The chief ministers of seven provinces jointly called on the federal government to implement the 17-point charter of demands they presented last year.

Expressing their concerns at the meeting of the National Development Problem Solving Committee led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today, they asked to fulfill the demands which are a must for the provinces’ effective functioning.

Last July, a delegation of seven chief ministers had presented their 17-point demands including deployment of civil servants, promulgation of laws, and revenue sharing.

“We jointly called for implementing the 17-point demand, most of which remain unimplemented,” Madhesh Province chief minister Satish Kumar Singh said, adding that their key and longstanding demands include adjustment of Nepal Police in provincial police force and promulgation of the Federal Civil Service Act as in the absence of the necessary law the smooth functioning of the provinces have been regularly under question. "Although maintaining law and order falls under the exclusive authority of the provinces, successive federal governments have delayed the adjustment of the police, and promulgation of subsequent laws.

The provinces also demanded transferring ownership of land and buildings being used by provincial entities to the respective provinces, and deployment and transfer of the officials in coordination with the provinces. Provinces have been complaining that frequent unconsented transfers of principal secretaries, secretaries and other staff adversely affect their performance.

The chief ministers have been demanding an arrangement to send secretaries by the federal government to the provincial ministries and by chief administrative officers to the local units, with the provinces retaining the ultimate authority to assign them duties. 

Currently, the federal government deploys them directly, which has created problems in the he provincial level.

Since the provinces have been facing unprecedented burdens from natural disasters, the chief ministers demanded urgent support and response from the federal government.

Likewise, delay in promulgation of the remaining federal laws to delegate the exclusive and concurrent authorities to the provinces, as well as amendments to existing laws to ease land acquisition for development projects and establish industrial areas have also hindered the progress of provincial governments.

The chief ministers also asked to amend the Local Government Operations Act to ease revenue sharing from river-based resources between local and provincial governments, and revise the Forest Act to allow them to use national forests. 

The Madhesh government has even filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court demanding authority over forest management, but the case has been pending since long.

The chief ministers have also demanded to repeal of the Urban Area Public Transport (Management) Authority Act-2022 to enable provinces to collect revenues from traffic rules violation.

The chief ministers, during today's meeting, also expressed frustration over delays in obtaining clearance from the forest ministry, which according to them is hindering development efforts of the provincial governments. In response, PM Oli said he too was concerned about the delays in development works due to lack of permit in the use of forest covered areas.

Oli was of the view that concerned agencies with forest should facilitate development efforts while also working to protect forests and environment. Instead they are creating barriers in development efforts, he added.

Oli, on the occasion, also called for running an effective, competent and transparent administration, which can priorities addressing the public grievances.

WePOWER launches National Chapter in Nepal to strengthen women’s roles in energy sector

The South Asia Women in Power Sector Professional Network (WePOWER) Nepal National Chapter (NNC) has been today officially launched at the World Bank Country Office in Kathmandu.

WePOWER is a coalition of almost 50 energy sector stakeholders—including utilities, universities and professional associations—and has national chapters in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The launch of the Nepal chapter is a crucial step in promoting new national and regional partnerships to foster skills for advanced jobs and leadership roles for women in Nepal’s energy sector, claims the World Bank.

“The World Bank is proud to serve as the interim secretariat for WePOWER and we are committed to creating more jobs for women in Nepal,"  World Bank Regional Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka David Sislen said, adding that they want to see more women in the workforce and more women engaged in the critical policy dialogues that are shaping Nepal’s future.

The WePOWER NNC has five Nepali partners: Alternative Energy Promotion Center, Institute of Engineering-Tribhuvan University, National Association of Community Electricity Users-Nepal, Nepal Electricity Authority, and Nepal Engineers’ Association Women’s Committee.

"WePOWER is not just a network, it is also a commitment to empower women in energy," said chair of the NNC Dr Sangeeta Singh. "Through WePOWER, we are helping to promote equal representation and create a brighter, more sustainable, and resilient future for all."

Since 2019, when the first WePOWER Regional Conference was held in Kathmandu, WePOWER partners in Nepal have been instrumental in launching a range of gender-related activities benefitting 3,215 female professionals and students. These include hiring 214 women professionals, providing internships for 225 female students, organizing professional workshops/training for 1,584 women professionals, and supporting 32 women-friendly policies that benefitted 1,124 women professionals. Moving forward, the NNC will continue to support the participation of more women professionals in Nepal’s energy sector through its work plan.

“This milestone brings vital opportunities for women in the energy sector to build networks, develop leadership skills, and advance their careers," Country Director of the Asian Development Bank Nepal Arnaud Cauchois said, adding that the ADB is proud to support efforts that close gender gaps and promote women’s participation in key sectors.

Representatives from key energy sector utilities, development partners, private sector organizations, and academia attended the launch event. The event also included a roundtable discussion on how the NNC can foster skills for advanced jobs and leadership roles for women in Nepal’s energy sector. The speakers highlighted that the NNC has the potential to be a collective voice to advocate for change and push for more affirmative policies on caregiving, behaviour change, and other aspects that affect women’s abilities to take up leadership roles.

Cost of non-compliance: Billions worth infrastructure damaged, death toll rises to 169

Lack of serious disaster preparedness, non-compliance, and timely rescue has cost the country billions.  

Flood and landslide caused by incessant rainfall that started on Thursday afternoon has damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, hydropower projects, power lines and buildings, worth billions, whereas some 169 people also lost their lives.

The death toll from disaster-related incidents across the country has reached 169, according to the Home Ministry.  In addition to the loss of lives, the infrastructure damage is also extensive due to inaction of the government.

According the World Bank, the government's disaster-related expenditures between 2012 and 2020 amounted to over $3.8 billion (Rs 451.45 billion), or an annual average of about $430 million (Rs 50 billion). However, this year's disaster-related expenditures might be double the annual average to around $800 million. 

According to Armed Police Force (APF) under Home Ministry, some 60 others are injured, while 54 are missing. "Floods and landslides triggered by incessant rain since Thursday afternoon damaged 322 houses and 16 bridges across the country," the APF reported.

The three districts in the Valley — Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur — recorded some 79 deaths, with 52 in Kathmandu alone. The Southern part of Lalitpur district is still cut-off with the rest of the district due to landslide and electricity outage, due to heavy downpour. 

Likewise, Kathmandu Valley is cut-off with the rest of the country due to landslide and flood-caused bridge and road damage. The vehicles are seen on the highways that lead to the Kathmandu Valley.

The eastern entry point to the Kathmandu Valley, Banepa, is obstructed due to road damage on BP Highway, whereas the western entry point to the Kathmandu Valley, Thankot, is obstructed due to landslide and road damage in Naubise. The security forces are, however, working hard to clear the roads following to western entry point, Thankot, for emergency rescue operations also.

Likewise, some 66 deaths were reported in Bagmati Province, excluding the Kathmandu Valley.

Koshi and Madhesh Provinces recorded some 21 and three deaths, respectively, the report stated, adding that no fatalities have been recorded in the other four provinces. But Butwal, in the Lumbini Province, was flooded that halted transportation.

Death toll climbs as torrential rains pound Nepal

Much of Kathmandu stands underwater today and the capital’s main river, the Bagmati, is flowing above danger levels after incessant rain lashed much of eastern and central Nepal on Friday and Saturday (today).

After rainfall exceeding 340mm fell in under three days in many places across the Kathmandu Valley the Bagmati is flowing at 6.16metres at Khokana: 2.16m above danger levels, according to a press note issued by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

Rivers in eastern and central Nepal are also dangerously engorged: at the time of writing the Narayani River at Devghat is running at 11.5 metres: 2.5m above danger levels. Sunkoshi River in Khurkot also recorded 11.5 m, which is almost 3m higher than the danger threshold, it reads, adding that rescue-workers have used boats and helicopters to evacuate affected citizens stranded in their homes as water levels rose.

The government states 66 people have been killed since early on Friday, with 60 injured and 69 missing, with floods and landslides closing major roads and disrupting domestic air travel.

“I’ve never before seen flooding on this scale in Kathmandu,” said  Climate and Environmental Risks Lead at the Hindu Kush Himalayan knowledge centre at ICIMOD Arun Bhakta Shrestha.

Kumaltar, in the Kathmandu Valley, received 381.2 and Godavari received 346.6 mm in rains that set in early on Thursday. Large areas of Nepal were projected to see rainfall in the “extremely heavy rainfall” category (over 200mm) on both Friday and Saturday.  

A low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal and the more northerly than usual position of the monsoon trough is the reason for this weekend’s late, and exceptionally intense rain.

Contrary to earlier forecasts which showed another day of heavy rain, ICIMOD’s High-Impact Weather Assessment Toolkit (HIWAT) now shows rain subsiding tomorrow (Sunday).

Scientists say that while climate change is changing the amount and timing of rainfall across Asia, a key reason for the rise in the impact of floods is the built environment, including unplanned construction, especially on floodplains, which leaves insufficient area for water retention and drainage.

They recommend central governments and city planners urgently increase the investment in and planning of both ‘grey’ (engineered) and ‘green’ (nature-based) infrastructure: such as underground stormwater and sewage systems; and the restoration of wetlands or the introduction of permeable pavements and ‘rain gardens’ to increase cities’ capacity to absorb water and help communities adapt.

This unprecedented rain has fallen on soil already saturated following a more than 25 per cent above normal rainfall this monsoon in Kathmandu, the press note reads, "Its impact is aggravated by poor drainage due to unplanned settlement/haphazard urbanisation, construction on floodplains, and lack of areas for water retention, and encroachment on the Bagmati river."

Extreme floods from two consecutive heavy monsoon years have caused devastation in many parts of the Hindu Kush Himalaya region in 2023 and 2024, and recent analysis by climate scientists shows Asia’s exposure to extreme rain and flood risk growing by 2030.

The research shows the continent will face the greatest rainfall changes in the world by 2100, with ICIMOD regional member countries Bangladesh, China, and India among 10 Asian countries that have the highest risk of extreme rainfall by the end of the century. 

XDI’s 2023 Gross Domestic Climate Risk Dataset, the expert group in physical climate risk, shows that 114 of the top 200 provinces with the highest aggregated damage ratio by 2050 will be in Asia.

XDI Gross Domestic Climate Risk Map. Source: XDI

Landmark research by Chinese researchers and the UK Met Office published in the journal Science this July showed that climate change is not only resulting in more extreme precipitation, but also greater variability in rainfall – with greater swings between intense rain events. The research used observational data since the 1900s to track already detectable changes – with the greater variability in rainfall posing challenges for weather and climate predictions, as well as for resilience and adaptation by societies and ecosystems.

ICIMOD’s 2023 assessment report, Water, Ice, Society, and Ecosystems in the Hindu Kush Himalaya suggests similar changes in the Hindu Kush Himalaya.

Alongside many in the region, many ICIMOD employees have found themselves on the frontline of these floods.

We extend our solidarity to all those suffering today, and will continue to work to increase the reliability of forecasts, to roll out early warning systems, and to advocate for planned settlements and nature-based solutions to mitigate flood risks.

The ICIMOD claims that it continue to share our Earth Observation tools with government agencies and first responders, including those in humanitarian agencies, to help them anticipate major events and preposition aid.

Experts to explore social protection's role in reducing poverty, building resilience and investing in human capital

The government is committed to building a more inclusive social protection system that serves the needs of all, especially our children and the future generations.

Inaugurating the conference 'Resilient and Inclusive Social Protection: Investing in Human Capital Development', here today, the deputy prime minister and finance minister Bishnu Paudel reiterated the government's commitment. 

"This conference comes at a crucial time as Nepal is investing in its human capital,” he said at the conference organised jointly by the government, National Planning Commission (NPC), in partnership with UNICEF and the World Bank (WB), 

This is the second international conference on social protection -- organised in Kathmandu today and tomorrow -- that aims to foster critical dialogue on how social protection can be leveraged to reduce poverty, build resilience, and invest in the human capital of future generations.

Nepal is undergoing rapid economic, social, and demographic changes, with approximately 20 per cent of the population still living below the poverty line and significant inequality remaining a concern. Nepal’s Constitution guarantees the right to social security for vulnerable groups, but much of its investment in social protection has focused on the elderly, with limited attention to children and other vulnerable groups.

The vice chair of NPC Prof Dr Shivaraj Adhikari on the occasion, said that the government, through the Sixteenth Periodic Plan, has given high priority to human capital development. "It is necessary to increase investment in children for this purpose," he said, highlighting the fact that human development is both a means and an end in the context of the country's development. He also emphasised that social protection plays a crucial role in building human capital.

Although the government has been increasing investment in social protection, the investment made in social protection has had only a limited impact on reducing poverty, building human capital, and promoting resilience against shocks and risks that may arise at various stages of the human life cycle.

“By investing in the early years, including through universal child grants, we can break intergenerational cycles of poverty that hold back future generations," said Regional Director of UNICEF South Asia Sanjay Wijesekera. 

"Through this conference, we are not only reaffirming our commitment to the children and young people of Nepal, but we are also challenging ourselves to create a world where every child and young person, no matter his or her circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to a brighter, more resilient future," he added.

The conference builds on the momentum of the 2019 International Conference on Social Protection, which promoted policy debate on strengthening social protection for children and the expansion of the child grant, establishment of an integrated registry, increased use of the cash plus approach, investment in productive employment and social security for the formal and informal sectors.

This year’s conference provides a platform to reflect on key progress in Nepal since 2019 and for knowledge exchange, learning from best practices, and collaboration towards achieving SDG Target 1.3, which calls for implementing nationally appropriate social protection systems for all.

“In the face of economic challenges, global conflicts and climate change, adaptive social protection systems are more critical than ever,” said World Bank Operations Manager for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka Preeti Arora. 

“Effective social protection can buffer vulnerable populations, including women, youth, and children from crises while enabling them to invest in education, healthcare, and other essential services that enhance human capital and their productivity," she added.

The conference brings together senior representatives from the government, UNICEF, the World Bank, regional and global social protection experts, and key stakeholders from various sectors.

On the occasion, director at the Economic Policy Research Institute (EPRC) Dr Michael Samson delivered the keynote address on ‘Investment in social protection for human capital, inclusion and resilience – Global Perspective.”