On September 25, the catastrophic floods in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers caused severe damage to thousands of homes. People who narrowly escaped the flood are now gradually returning to search for useful belongings amid the ruins of their destroyed houses.
According to Shaktimaya Tamang and Ashok Dahal from Nuwakot, the flood inflicted widespread devastation, and affected individuals are facing difficulties in locating their lost possessions. They are making efforts to recover items that the floodwaters swept away.
Summary: The NSJF Pulsar Sports Awards 2082 will take place today, Thursday, at the Blue Pavilion Hall of Nepal Police Club in Bhrikutimandap. The Nepal Sports Journalists Forum has dedicated the 23rd edition of the awards to flood-affected victims. Awards will be given in nine categories, with some winners and nominees already announced. Kathmandu, 18 Bhadra.
Organized by the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum, the NSJF Pulsar Sports Awards 2082 is scheduled for Thursday at the Blue Pavilion Hall of Nepal Police Club located in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu. This year’s 23rd edition is dedicated to those affected by recent floods. The Forum uses this prestigious event to honor and reward athletes, coaches, and sports workers, making it one of the most eminent sports award ceremonies in Nepal.
Awards will be presented in nine categories this year, including Best Male Athlete of the Year, Best Female Athlete of the Year, Best Youth Athlete, Coach of the Year, People’s Choice Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Special Award, Para Athlete Award, and Asian Sports Journalist Award. Nominees for Male Athlete of the Year include Chandra Bahadur Thapa (boxing), Sombahadur Kumal (athletics), Pradip Bajaili Magar (karate), Dipendra Singh Airee (cricket), and Sadbhaw Acharya (golf). Female Athlete nominees include Erika Gurung (karate), Sanumaya Thing (karate), Santoshi Shrestha (athletics), Sabitra Bhandari (football), and Sabina Shrestha (karate).
In the Youth Athlete category, nominees are Arpil Rana (boxing), Rehan Javed (karate), Manishakumari Bohara (karate), Purushottam Silwal (chess), and Raunak Srivastava (cricket). Coaching nominations include Deepak Maharjan (boxing), Kushal Shrestha (karate), Mandekaji Shrestha (karate), Stuart Law (cricket), and Puran Singh Khatri (blind women’s cricket). Five categories’ nominations, including the People’s Choice awards, have already been made public. Contestants for the People’s Choice Award include footballer Puja Rana, mixed martial artist Ravindra Dhatt, cricketer Sher Mall, volleyball player Meena Sunar, and karate athlete Sanumaya Thing.
Winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Special Award, Para Athlete Award, and Asian Sports Journalist Award will be announced during the event. The ceremony will be broadcast live on Himalayan Television and the official Facebook page of NSJF.
Prime Minister Balen Shah and CPN leader Barshaman Pun met at the Prime Minister’s Office in Singha Durbar to hold extensive discussions on rescue, relief, medical treatment, and rehabilitation efforts following the recent flood on the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli rivers in Rasuwa. They also addressed the restoration and reoperation of infrastructure damaged by the flood, according to an official release from the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. Kathmandu, 18 Bhadra.
During the meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar, the two leaders reviewed the challenges caused by the flood and coordinated plans for search, rescue, medical aid, and relief distribution. The discussions further emphasized serious consideration for rebuilding and restarting affected services and infrastructure. Additionally, on the same day, Prime Minister Shah met with Kulman Ghising, Chairperson of the Ujyalo Nepal Party, to discuss the post-flood situation and related action plans.
Psychologists and counselors who visited the flood-affected areas have reported common psychosocial symptoms among the victims, including stress, anxiety, sadness, and frequent crying. Sushila Pokharel, a counselor at the holding center in Vidur Municipality-4, Nuwakot, shared her experience that the disaster has had a more profound psychological impact on those bearing family responsibilities. She stated, “These people were just recovering from the earthquake’s trauma… In the past, floods and landslides were common as well. They reside along the riverbanks, and COVID also caused issues for them. Now, they have nothing left.”
She added, “Earlier they could save at least something, but now they have nothing, not even relatives to support them. They are completely traumatized.” Most of the people staying at the holding center visibly exhibit fear. Counselor Pokharel noted, “Some openly express it, while others do not. But, upon deeper conversation, all show signs of fear, concern about the future, and uncertainty.”
Anjan Kumar Dhakal, a clinical psychologist at Kanti Hospital, has visited many holding centers in the flood-affected areas and met the victims. He said, “People who have lost everything often exhibit restlessness, worry, and confusion for an extended period.” According to the Ministry of Health, psychosocial first aid and counseling services have been provided to 1,239 individuals from the affected areas so far.
Ministry data reveals that the largest number of services are being delivered in twelve holding centers in Nuwakot, staffed by 45 personnel. Counselor Sushila provides psychological first aid daily by interpreting people’s facial expressions, engaging in conversation, and offering necessary support.
Senior psychiatrist Saroj Prasad Ojha explained that after a disaster, some individuals go through a phase of denial, which is initially difficult to accept. He said, “The event has occurred; now we must focus on the present and think towards resolving the problems.”
Counselors emphasize that it is not appropriate to offer false assurances to the affected individuals. Dhakal added, “It is important not to probe into matters that they do not wish to disclose.”
Summary: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s statement that Taiwan is not separate from China has prompted a reconsideration of Malaysia’s “One China” policy. Taiwan has protested Anwar’s remarks, warning that they could negatively affect the confidence of Taiwanese businesspeople and harm political relations. Meanwhile, China praised Anwar’s comments, reiterating its claim that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China and must be reunified. Kathmandu, September 4 — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent remarks concerning Taiwan have generated considerable attention and controversy. Earlier this month, in an interview with Al Jazeera, he stated, “I consider Taiwan as part of China,” adding that this is “widely accepted.” This statement has raised questions regarding Malaysia’s traditional non-aligned foreign policy, which has maintained neutrality between China and the United States. When asked about Taiwan’s status, Anwar said, “We might disagree; there are some extremist views. Yes, people can express their opinions. But this is the One China policy, which is generally accepted.” When further questioned whether Malaysia would condemn China if it used force against Taiwan, Anwar responded by citing Malaysia’s own example: “If any state in Malaysia sought to secede, I would use force to preserve the unity of my country.” These remarks have triggered serious concerns about Malaysia’s long-standing non-aligned foreign policy and regional security implications. Taiwan officially protested, cautioning that Malaysia’s unilateral support for China could affect Taiwanese investors’ confidence. In a statement from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it said, “Malaysia’s one-sided support of China could negatively impact the confidence of businesses investing in Taiwan. Supporting unilateral attempts to change the status quo in Taiwan’s waterways through threats of force will seriously damage political trust between Taiwan and Malaysia.” Social media users in Taiwan have also sharply criticized Anwar, accusing him of disregarding the feelings of Taiwan’s 23 million people and endorsing Beijing’s military threats. China, in contrast, openly praised the Malaysian Prime Minister’s comments. A spokesperson from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “China appreciates Prime Minister Anwar’s remarks. Taiwan is an inseparable part of China’s territory and must be reunified.” Following the escalation of the Taiwan dispute, Prime Minister Anwar has sought to moderate his stance, emphasizing that while Malaysia respects China’s position, tensions in Taiwan’s waterways should be resolved peacefully.
Kayaker Vijay Majhi is scheduled to travel to Thailand on Thursday to prepare for the 20th Asian Games. From Thailand, he will depart for Japan to participate in the Asian Games, which will be held from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi/Nagoya. Another kayaker, Ashish Rana Magar, is currently training in Japan. Team secretary Ramcharitra Maheta officially bid farewell to the team on Wednesday.
Editorial Summary: The flood of the Bhotekoshi River on September 26 has posed significant risks to schools, communities, and infrastructure in the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading. Preliminary reports indicate that approximately 17,000 children in these three districts have been affected. This disaster underscores the urgent need to prioritize child protection, school-level preparedness, and early warning systems in disaster management. Disasters pose risks to everyone; however, their impacts are often deeper and more lasting for children. Nepal is a country highly vulnerable to natural and climate-induced disasters. Earthquakes, floods, landslides, fires, and pandemics cause extensive damage to lives and property every year. Despite their severe consequences, post-disaster reconstruction in Nepal has not achieved expected progress. Experience shows that children are the most vulnerable group during disasters. Given the incomplete recovery from previous disasters, the devastating Bhotekoshi flood on September 26 has caused even greater damage, emphasizing the critical importance of prioritizing both disaster management and child protection in Nepal.
The flood has inflicted unimaginable damage on villages, homes, schools, roads, bridges, health facilities, government offices, and other infrastructure. Thousands of lives remain at risk, and it may take some time before the precise death toll is confirmed. It is particularly challenging to ascertain the number of children who have died in the floods. Schools located along the Trishuli River floodplain in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts have been completely destroyed. Accurate data on how many children were enrolled in these schools, how many are safe, and how many are missing is not yet available. Initial information suggests that around 17,000 children have been affected across these districts, indicating a high possibility of thousands of child deaths or disappearances. Following the Bhotekoshi flood, schools have played a vital role. Teachers, upon receiving timely warnings, can become the first line of defense by moving students to safe locations and thereby helping save lives. This disaster is not only a natural hazard but also a profound challenge to child safety, rights, mental health, education, family relationships, and their future.
Children are more physically, mentally, and socially dependent than adults. In sudden natural emergencies, they are often unable to recognize risks or move to safe places on their own. Another critical aspect of the Bhotekoshi flood is its sudden and rapid onset. Minutes of warning can mean the difference between life and death. For example, Trishuli Secondary School in Nuwakot saved hundreds of students by evacuating them immediately before the floodwaters arrived. This example highlights the importance of school-level early warning systems and teacher awareness. During disasters, children may become separated from their parents or families, and some may lose their mothers or fathers. Such children become vulnerable and may fall under the care of strangers. Consequently, identifying, tracing, reunifying, and providing protective services for children separated from their families after disasters is essential.
Following the devastating flood at Rasuwagadhi, the Nepali Embassy in Lhasa has reported that 114 Nepali nationals stranded in Kerung, Tibet, have started returning to Nepal from Thursday onward.
Most Nepalis who had traveled to Tibet for the Mansarovar pilgrimage and trade on visas have already returned home, according to Embassy Trade Representative Laxmi Prasad Niraula. However, those who had obtained temporary passes to reach Kerung are now beginning their return journey.
Nepalese workers who cross the Rasuwagadhi border to Kerung for carrying goods, loading and unloading, or working in hotels and restaurants can do so without a visa.
“Today, the first group has departed from here and are expected to reach Kathmandu by evening. We will continue sending more,” Niraula said by phone from Lhasa.
Nepalis with temporary passes had been stranded in Kerung after both the Rasuwagadhi border and Pasang Lhamu Highway were washed away by floods.
Facilitation by the Chinese Government
Image source: Reuters
According to Trade Representative Niraula, the Chinese government has facilitated transportation of Nepalis to the Tatopani border in Sindhupalchok.
Nepalis with temporary permits who work or shop around Tibet are allowed to travel only within 30 kilometers inside Tibet. The Chinese government has assisted in repatriating those without passports and visas who were stranded by the flood in Tibet.
“They have been granted temporary permission and are being sent back to Nepal through the Tatopani border,” Niraula confirmed.
The Nepali Embassy estimates around 1,600 Nepalis are currently in Kerung. Among them, 800 have registered to return to Nepal.
“Those who have worked long-term in hotels and restaurants have not yet registered. Most registrations are from Nepalis involved in goods transport, shopping, and loading/unloading,” Niraula added.
Other Nepalis Wanting to Return Can Also Register
The Chinese government permits Nepali trucks transporting goods from China to travel up to about 27 kilometers away at the Kerung border.
Ram Hari Karki, President of the Nepal Himalaya Cross-Border Trade Association, reported that 176 trucks and containers along with 80 drivers are currently stranded heading toward Kerung.
“Nepalis are also working in restaurants and shops there, as well as in loading and unloading. We have obtained details of 80 drivers,” he stated.
Previously, the Nepali Embassy in Beijing had published phone numbers to assist Nepalis stranded towards Tibet to return home.
Trade Representative Niraula said Nepalis holding temporary passes who have reached Kerung and wish to return are advised to contact local authorities to register their names. Following this, the Chinese government has arranged bus transportation to the Tatopani border.
According to Association President Karki, trucks stranded in Kerung have not yet been permitted to be brought through the Tatopani border.
“Since Tatopani remains closed, we have been told to bring goods via the Korla border, which is far. We are requesting permission to transport via Tatopani,” Karki said.
How Many Nepalis Are Missing at the Border?
Image source: Reuters
The Embassy has confirmed that Nepalis who had traveled to Tibet on visas for Mansarovar pilgrimage and other purposes have already returned via Lhasa and Tatopani border.
The flood originating in Tibet along the Bhote Koshi River washed away border facilities, including immigration offices on both the Nepal and China sides at Rasuwagadhi.
Nepal’s Immigration Office had already reported that 35 Nepalis had entered China from Rasuwagadhi border before the flood hit on September 26 (Bhadau 10).
Following the flood, Chinese authorities have reported that 104 Nepalis were present at the washed-out border point, Trade Representative Niraula revealed.
Most of them had crossed into China under temporary passes, but “their current condition is still unknown,” he added.
This report is also available on a Nepali YouTube channel. To subscribe and watch published videos, click here. Additionally, follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The BBC Nepali service airs a program every Monday to Friday at 8:45 PM on the radio.
Two people were killed and the shooting suspect was also shot dead in an apartment building in Minneapolis on Wednesday. The incident left five people injured, including two police officers, three of whom are in stable condition. Police reported that additional gunfire erupted from an upper floor upon their arrival at the scene, and thick smoke complicated rescue efforts. September 4, Minneapolis (AP).
The shooting occurred in an apartment building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where two people lost their lives and the suspect was killed. Five individuals, including two police officers, sustained injuries. Police responded to gunfire reported around 4:30 p.m. According to interim police chief Bill Peterson, responding officers faced difficulties due to heavy smoke when additional shots were fired from upstairs.
Among the injured, three police officers are reported to be in stable condition. One victim died at the scene, while another succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The identity of the suspect and the circumstances of their death have not been officially disclosed. Eyewitnesses indicated that the shooter may have been a resident of the apartment and had previously displayed weapons. Authorities advised residents of the Loring Park area to stay away from the scene following the incident. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz confirmed that state officials are assisting local law enforcement. The FBI is also involved in the investigation.
Amputee football players Alina Shrestha and Pooja Bik are set to depart for France on Thursday to participate in the international women’s amputee football camp scheduled from September 3 to 6 in Nice. Ramcharitra Mehta, Member-Secretary of the National Sports Council, bid them farewell on Wednesday.
Dillibahadur Bisht, General Secretary of the Amputee Sports Society Nepal, stated that the main goal of the camp is to foster collaboration and expand networking among women amputee football players. The camp is organized by the European Amputee Football Federation (EAFF) with support from the World Amputee Football Federation (WAFF).
Thirty-year-old Sagar Tamang, also known as Bijay Moktan, who was absconding on charges of robbery, has been arrested by police from Kirtipur Municipality-3, Kathmandu. The Bhaktapur District Court had sentenced him to five years imprisonment and fined him 50,000 rupees. He had escaped from the Central Jail Jagannathdeval Sundhara during the protest on 24th Bhadra 2082 (September 9, 2025). He has been sent back to jail.
Sagar Tamang, a resident of Indrasarobar Rural Municipality-5 in Makwanpur district, was serving his sentence at the Central Jail Office Jagannathdeval Sundhara, Kathmandu. He had fled while participating in the protest on Bhadra 24, 2082. He was apprehended by the police deployed from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, Teku. He has been re-incarcerated at the Central Jail Jagannathdeval Sundhara, Kathmandu.
Following the significant loss of life and property caused by the Bhotekoshi flood on September 26, representatives of international agencies have indicated that completing the ongoing humanitarian assistance efforts could take several months. According to Riaz Lodhi, the National Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) Nepal, this relief operation is even more complex than the post-earthquake response in the past. At least 10,000 people across many affected districts, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading, require immediate support.
The urgent needs of people in the flood-affected areas include medical care, psychosocial services, shelter, and food assistance. The government is actively working to meet these needs. While relief materials are staged in trucks waiting in some areas, aid is being delivered by air to certain parts of Rasuwa. The World Food Programme is distributing food aid and advancing relief efforts according to the extent of damage.
During the initial days of humanitarian aid, the World Food Programme distributed high-energy fortified biscuits, followed by pulses, fortified rice, and cooking oil. Supporting the government and other partners, WFP is also paying close attention to accessibility issues. Having provided assistance in Nepal’s post-earthquake situation 72 years ago, the WFP notes that the current relief effort appears even more complicated.
It is difficult to predict the exact duration required to complete the relief operations. The threat of flooding remains, and many have lost their homes, land, food supplies, and other assets. The process will take considerable time — potentially several months. Emergency assistance alone could extend for about six months, after which the reconstruction and recovery phase will commence.
At the ongoing third Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam, Nepal has clinched the bronze medal. Nepali player Dawa Sherpa secured the bronze by defeating a Brazilian opponent with identical scores of 21–12 and 21–12 in the men’s singles event. According to Saurabh Bhandari, president of the Nepal Pickleball Association, players from 64 countries, including Nepal, are participating in the World Cup.
President Bhandari noted that this marks a significant achievement in Nepal’s international pickleball journey, as it is the country’s first time participating in the World Cup and winning a bronze medal. In the match for third place, Dawa convincingly defeated the Brazilian player in straight sets to claim the bronze.
The Children’s Peace Zone National Campaign (CJPP) has urged prioritizing the protection, health, nutrition, safety, and education of children affected by disasters. Kathmandu, 3 September – CJPP emphasized the urgent need to pay special attention to the safety and well-being of children following disasters. Their primary demand is to ensure that children are kept safe, healthy, well-nourished, and educated.
According to CJPP, “In such situations, children are at risk and may fall prey to trafficking and displacement.” Additionally, “There is a critical need for child-friendly psychosocial counseling and support to address fear, stress, anxiety, and mental trauma that affected children may experience.” CJPP also highlighted that during disaster times, publishing pictures, videos, or sensitive information about affected children and their families in media and social networks, without due sensitivity, is inappropriate.
Such actions can increase psychological stress among children and compromise confidentiality and fundamental child protection principles. Therefore, CJPP has requested that the identity, photographs, and personal information of affected children and families not be disclosed publicly. Furthermore, all relevant actors are urged to address the issues of foul odors and possible epidemics stemming from missing persons and unclaimed bodies and to consider the psychological effects on children.
Efforts to locate and rescue missing individuals should be effective, extensive, and continuous. CJPP also called on concerned authorities to ensure that relief and humanitarian aid are provided fairly and comprehensively.
After a sudden flood in the Bhote Koshi river caused widespread destruction in the lowland areas, a Nepal Army helicopter took off from Kathmandu early last Wednesday morning to carry out rescue operations.
During a parliamentary address on Wednesday, marking a week since the Rasuwa disaster, the Prime Minister stated that the first rescue flight was dispatched on September 25 at 9:45 am by a Nepal Army helicopter heading towards the affected area.
With widespread confusion and fear in the flood-impacted region, the Nepal Army spokesman Rajaram Basnet explained that the true extent of damage was primarily assessed through helicopter reconnaissance.
“On the very first day, our four helicopters commenced rescue operations. One MI-17 helicopter carried a team of 20 doctors and by 11:30 am had established a medical base,” said Basnet. “Such a large-scale aerial rescue operation in a small airstrip has never before been conducted in Nepal.”
At a Tuesday press conference, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung described the operation as extensive, possibly the largest ever in Nepal.
Within a week, more than 4,000 people had been airlifted by military and private sector helicopters. The Nepal Army alone reported conducting 717 flights.
At different times, approximately two dozen private helicopters and seven army helicopters were involved in the rescue operations.
Dire Conditions, But Helicopters Deliver Hope
Image source, Reuters
According to Narendra Pariyar, Chief District Officer of Rasuwa, all roads were completely blocked by midday of the flood day.
“Afterward, everyone’s only hope became the helicopter. Though efforts to clear alternative roads continued, many areas remained inaccessible,” Pariyar said.
“Initially, it was even difficult for helicopters to land in many places, but they managed to provide hope to many.”
The Nepal Army decided to centralize rescue operations under a single command for helicopter deployment to avoid duplications and streamline efforts.
“Flights were regularly conducted in all directions based from the barracks in Nuwakot,” said Kailash Helicopter Captain Maniraj Lama.
“The situation in the lower areas was extremely grim. It was an extraordinary circumstance even for helicopters to see so many flying simultaneously in the sky.”
Image source, Reuters
Initially, helicopters focused on transporting rescuers and security personnel, later expanding to evacuating bodies and distributing relief supplies.
As bodies began to decompose, to reduce health risks, the removal process was conducted by a ‘long line’ method: suspending bodies using a cable attached to the helicopter.
However, Captain Lama said determining priorities was extremely challenging given the high number of victims on the initial days, requiring sensitive humanitarian work under difficult circumstances.
Simrik Air’s Captain Bimal Sharma noted he had never seen such a busy sky during helicopter rescue missions before.
“Even during Everest expeditions, the air traffic is busy but destinations are well-defined. Here, coordination was difficult as locations given were inconsistent, forcing repeated searches,” Sharma stated. “Some landing spots were simply inaccessible in reality.”
‘Air Traffic’ in Confined Airspace
Pilots Bimal Sharma and Maniraj Lama both described flying over a dozen helicopters simultaneously from Trishuli to the China border region.
“That number was high for such a narrow valley,” said Sharma. “Pilots maintained coordination by identifying each other, following rules like maintaining specific distances and altitudes, and flying to the left.”
Nepal Civil Aviation Authority Deputy Spokesperson Gyanendra Bhul mentioned that due to absence of a dedicated airport near the flood-affected zones, helicopters maintained communication with Tribhuvan International Airport during flights.
“The rescue airspace is not uncontrolled; pilots operate skillfully based on visibility, though drones sometimes pose challenges,” he added.
“Currently, drones are the biggest challenge for helicopters—not a health hazard but requiring management.”
Captain Lama of Kailash Helicopter shared that although flights operated at lower altitudes compared to mountain climbing missions, rescue operations remained challenging.
“Rescue flights provide a vital lifeline, offering living hope even when contact is lost, giving people confidence that help will eventually arrive,” Lama recounted.
“Such hope can save lives during disasters. Thus, helicopters prove to be lifesavers in Nepal’s complex geography.”
Nepal Army spokesman Basnet affirmed the effectiveness of light helicopters in regions with narrow airspace and difficult terrain such as Rasuwa and Nuwakot.
“They enabled aerial reach above waterlogged areas where ground access was impossible.”
The Critical Role of Experienced Pilots
Image source, Reuters
Gyanendra Bhul, Deputy Spokesperson of Nepal Civil Aviation Authority, stated that pilots conducted the Rasuwa rescue missions with exceptional discipline and high-level flying skills.
He noted that during tourism and mountaineering seasons, about 150-200 helicopters operate daily from airports in Kathmandu and Lukla.
“These flights are chartered and permitted, but during disasters, special arrangements ensure that rescue flights are not compromised in terms of safety,” Bhul explained.
“That is why effective operations happen promptly in Nepal under such conditions. Experienced pilots familiar with the terrain are a major factor, alongside strict regulatory standards.”
Two years ago, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority recommended the government to establish helicopter systems for disaster rescue and relief.
At that time, experts suggested it would be more appropriate to utilize private sector resources rather than purchase helicopters outright.
Nimanuru Sherpa, Senior Vice President of the Helicopter Operators’ Association, said investment from the private sector has helped expand helicopter operations and strengthen Nepal’s economy.
“Nonetheless, improvements are still needed, such as better helicopter parking and maintenance facilities.”
