Author: space4knews

Shankar Group has contributed NPR 40 million to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund to support citizens affected by the recent natural disaster in the country. The group handed over a check to the Finance Minister for the relief fund and, on the third day of the disaster, provided 2,500 tarpaulin tents valued at NPR 2.5 million.

Expressing condolences for those who lost their lives in the disaster, Shankar Group extended gratitude to the agencies involved in rescue and relief efforts. On September 1, in Kathmandu, Shankar Group Director Deepa Agrawal and the senior management team handed over the check for the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund through the Finance Minister.

In addition to the monetary assistance, the group coordinated with the Ministry of Home Affairs and, via the Chief District Officer of Rupandehi, supplied 2,500 tarpaulin tents worth NPR 2.5 million to the displaced families on the third day of the disaster. Paying tribute to the victims and expressing solidarity with grieving families, the group thanked the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, volunteers, and government agencies working tirelessly day and night in rescue and relief operations.

Shankar Group emphasized that standing shoulder to shoulder with the government and citizens in this national crisis is its corporate social responsibility and pledged to continue supporting disaster relief efforts in the future.

Following the devastating flood on September 25 in Bhote Koshi, Rasuwa, which completely destroyed the Rasuwa Gadhi-Kerung border crossing, goods from China have started diverting toward the Korala checkpoint in Mustang. By Sunday evening, 66 cargo container trucks carrying goods from China had entered Mustang, while nearly 100 empty containers had gone uphill to pick up shipments. Traders warn that diverting traffic toward Korala will raise transportation costs and could increase market prices by NPR 100 to 150.

On September 25, a catastrophic flood in the Bhote Koshi river wiped out the Rasuwa Gadhi-Kerung border crossing, a crucial lifeline for Nepal-China trade. With major festivals such as Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath approaching, the total collapse of this key crossing has forced container trucks carrying export goods from the Rasuwa Gadhi-Kerung route to divert toward Mustang’s Korala checkpoint. However, Korala lacks the infrastructure, workforce, and reliable road network to absorb this sudden increase in trade traffic, compelling traders to endure significant hardships and escalating freight costs — a situation certain to drive inflation in Nepal’s markets.

Since goods originally slated for Rasuwa Gadhi are rerouted to Korala, Mustang has seen a sudden surge in large cargo vehicles. According to records from the Armed Police Force’s Jomsom checkpoint, 66 container trucks transporting goods from China had entered Mustang by Sunday evening, with the Jomsom checkpoint noting a growing number of containers being diverted to Korala. Mustang Customs office reports that these cargo containers have yet to arrive at the customs checkpoint itself. Vidur Chudal, Chief Customs Officer at Mustang Customs, explained that diverted goods remain en route, so customs inspections at Korala have yet to commence. Meanwhile, empty containers are now rapidly heading toward Korala to collect cargo. “Currently, only empty containers are going up; no trucks carrying diverted goods have arrived yet,” Chudal stated. “About 100 empty containers have gone uphill to pick up goods, according to our information.”

With no alternative, all diverted goods will now come through Korala, and inspections will be expedited once trucks arrive. Despite government designating Korala as an alternative checkpoint, customs management there remains weak. The Mustang Customs Office, located at about 4,650 meters above sea level, has 18 sanctioned positions but only 12 staff currently working. The lack of adequate infrastructure raises concerns about service delivery. Customs personnel have assured continuous round-the-clock work once cargo containers arrive. Despite poor infrastructure, Korala Customs collected NPR 692 million in revenue in fiscal year 2082/83 (2025/26) and NPR 29 million in just Shrawan of the current fiscal year. Although revenue collection appears strong, traders complain that the government has not correspondingly increased manpower or road upgrades. Chudal noted ongoing discussions with the customs department to boost manpower and infrastructure amid rapidly increasing traffic.

Chudal acknowledged that although the infrastructure on the Nepal side does not match the advanced facilities on the Chinese side, operations continue regularly with available resources. Moving forward, all Chinese imports destined for Nepali markets will pass through Korala. While Korala is adequate for many goods, importing perishable food items faces challenges due to the absence of quarantine facilities and insufficient staff. Traders say that fruit, vegetables, and grains cannot currently be imported through Korala. Road conditions also pose difficulties for both traders and drivers. The road from Mustang to Kathmandu is narrow, unpaved in sections, and geographically challenging, making large container truck movements problematic. Customs Chief Chudal concurred, stating, “From Beni upwards to Ghassa on the Kali Gandaki corridor, there is a risk of landslides; from Jomsom upwards, about 100 kilometers of road remain unpaved. Though traffic can move for now, increased vehicle flow will naturally degrade road conditions, which is a concern.”

Due to these difficulties, traders have requested that sealed containers be brought directly to Kathmandu’s Chobhar dry port for customs clearance. However, customs officials find this impractical citing additional transit time and security risks. Moreover, heavy snowfall typically begins in Mustang shortly after the festive season, hampering year-round operations at Korala. The longer, winding route and damaging landslides at Rasuwagadhi increase transportation costs, inevitably affecting market prices.

Manoj Babu Shrestha, President of the Nepal National Traders Federation, pointed out that diverting goods stuck in Kerung toward Korala will increase transportation expenses. While Rasuwa Gadhi to Kathmandu is about 110 kilometers, trucks must travel nearly 1,100 additional kilometers to reach Korala from Kerung. “We diverted goods stuck in the Kerung transport warehouse to Korala, but the 1,100-kilometer difference significantly hikes transportation costs,” Shrestha explained. “This will impact overall costs, pushing prices of goods up by NPR 100 to 150 in the market.” Items like ready-made garments, shoes, raw materials, food grains, and fruits are expected to see increased freight charges, directly affecting market prices.

Aside from these costs, the main bottleneck for imports via Korala is Nepal’s domestic highway network. Containers entering Kathmandu from Mustang depend heavily on the Muglin-Narayangarh (Prithvi Highway) route, which repeatedly faces blockages. Since yesterday, damage at Krishna Bhir in Dhading has caused a full closure of the Prithvi Highway. “Small vehicles like vans or Tata mobiles can use the South Kali-Sisne-ri-Hetauda route, but large containers cannot,” Shrestha explained. “The lifeline road connecting Kathmandu is blocked, and until it reopens, imports through Korala or any route lack meaning.” Though goods should arrive in five days based on distance, road conditions make transit times uncertain. In the short term, the government has arranged for all cargo vehicles to enter Kathmandu via the Kantipath road.

The government faces multiple challenges: importing via Korala entails higher costs and difficult roads; goods already stuck in Kerung suffered damage from floods, causing further losses for traders. Trucks that had cleared customs but were still in transit were swept away by floods, which traders claim the government has ignored. Moreover, traders feel no sympathy or support from the government. “Around 50 to 70 trucks with cleared customs awaiting release were lost in the floods at Kerung,” Shrestha said. “We paid customs duties, but we have neither received refunds nor compensation. We’ve suffered losses everywhere.”

After Rasuwagadhi collapsed, Sindhupalchok’s Tatopani port was considered an alternative, but diverted vehicles from Kerung would have to make an additional 550-kilometer detour via Tatopani. Furthermore, landslides still threaten the Liping area near Tatopani, making that route unreliable until the end of September. Due to the northern border crackdown, about 40% of Chinese goods now arrive via Indian seaports, taking 1.5 to 3 months to reach Nepal, still using the deteriorated Muglin road for final transport.

Amid this crisis, Mustang’s Korala checkpoint is functioning as a lifeline, but narrow roads, landslide risks, and a mere 12 staff managing billions in trade make seamless operations unlikely. With ongoing rainfall risks, authorities emphasize the urgent need for alternative tracks and road repairs. Experts and stakeholders warn that unless the government urgently upgrades Korala’s customs infrastructure, manpower, and rapidly repairs the Muglin-Narayangarh highway, Nepali consumers will face severe shortages and inflation.

Insured individuals affected by the devastating floods in Rasuwa district have the potential to receive up to 50 percent advance payments under the Insurance Claim Payment Guidelines 2081. Sushildev Subedi, Executive Director of the Nepal Insurance Authority, stated that the advance payment process will be further simplified once the Council of Ministers approves the relevant decision. Sunil Ballabh Pant, Secretary-General of the Non-Life Insurers’ Association, informed that damages have been observed to hydropower projects, access roads, motor vehicles, transit, and other vehicles, although detailed damage assessments are still pending.

Kathmandu, 14 Bhadra – Following the catastrophic flood on 10 Bhadra, insured parties affected by the damage are likely to receive advance payments. Stakeholders emphasize the necessity of advance payments to begin reconstruction of damages caused by this unnatural disaster. During the protests on 23 and 24 Bhadra, insurance companies acknowledged losses and provided 50 percent advance payments after the government directed such measures through the Council of Ministers. At that time, Swadeshi Reinsurance Company enabled insurance companies to disburse advance payments to victims. According to Sushildev Subedi, the Council’s immediate decision facilitated a smooth advance payment process.

Subedi said, “There will be no issues in providing advance payments to insured victims of the Rasuwa flood. According to Section 10 of the Insurance Claim Payment Guidelines 2081, insurance companies can pay up to 50 percent of the estimated liability as advance payment and can initiate this process accordingly.” He also added that the authority is ready to provide necessary support during the advance payment procedures. He mentioned that once the government endorses the decision through the Council of Ministers, the process will become even more streamlined.

Since the government invests in Nepal Reinsurance Company and there is a mandate for reinsurers to take on 20 percent of insurance business from insurance companies, government decisions can exert pressure to facilitate advance payments.

Sunil Ballabh Pant of the Non-Life Insurers’ Association stated that damage has been identified in hydropower projects, road access to these projects, motor vehicles, transit, and other vehicles due to the Rasuwa flood. However, clear and detailed evaluations of the damage to insured properties are yet to be compiled. The condition of livestock remains unclear. The insurance coverage for agricultural and other assets financed by banks is also under consideration. Furthermore, comprehensive information related to accident insurance for workers and employees is still awaited. He explained that damage assessments will be conducted following regular procedures, with cooperation between insurance companies and surveyors essential to progress efficiently. If required, support from reinsurance can also be sought to facilitate this process.

Due to the current focus on minimizing human casualties and conducting rescue operations, complete details of the losses have yet to be fully documented. Decisions regarding claim payments will depend on inspections of machinery and equipment at hydropower projects. Claims will be paid based either on partial or total loss of the facilities. Pant added, “Insurance companies and surveyors will promptly reach the affected areas to start damage assessments.” Recalling that the Rasuwa flood is not the insurance companies’ first encounter with such an event, he emphasized, “Insurance companies require proper evidence and adhere strictly to procedural compliance, so documentation and procedures must be in order.”

The Insurers Reinsurance Directive 2080 mandates insurers to cede 20 percent of their risk to Nepal Reinsurance Company. Under the insurance policy provisions, an insurer’s maximum per-risk retention in Nepal is capped at 0.5 percent of its net worth for life insurers and no more than 5 percent for non-life insurers. In the case of catastrophic reinsurance, life insurers may bear risk up to NPR 100 million, while non-life insurers can take on risks up to 10 percent of their net worth, as specified in the directive. Insurance companies retain the remaining 80 percent of risks themselves or reinsure these risks with various domestic and international reinsurers. Consequently, foreign reinsurers are expected to play a significant role in claims related to damage from the Rasuwa floods to hydropower projects and other sectors.

The Birgunj Chamber of Commerce has contributed NPR 1,510,101 to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund to support rescue and relief efforts for citizens affected by the flood in Vote Kosi, Rasuwa. Hariprasad Gautam, the president of the chamber, urged government bodies, organizations, and the general public to collaborate in providing immediate assistance to the affected families. September 1, Parsa.

Due to the flood in Vote Kosi, Rasuwa, the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce has made a financial contribution of NPR 1,510,101 to aid the affected citizens’ relief and rescue operations. President Hariprasad Gautam confirmed that an equivalent cheque was deposited today into the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.

Having a history of supporting communities during natural disasters and crises, the chamber appealed to the relevant government agencies, various organizations, and the general public to actively engage within their capacities to provide immediate relief and necessary support to families suffering damage to life and property caused by the flood.

Following the flood in Rasuwa Bhotekoshi, the Nepalese Army has reported that no individuals were found during the search inside the tunnel of the Rasuwagadhi Hydroelectric Project. The three employees—Kishor Nyaupane, Santosh Paudel, and Chiring Tamang—who were on duty inside the underground powerhouse during the flood remain unreachable. According to the project authorities, 93 employees and laborers, including company staff, daily wage workers, and construction workers, have been missing since the flood event. Kathmandu, 15 Bhadau.

After the impact of the flood on the Rasuwa Bhotekoshi River, the Nepalese Army conducted a search inside the 111-megawatt Rasuwagadhi Hydroelectric Project tunnel fearing that people might be trapped. However, no one was found. Still, the three employees on duty inside the tunnel at the time of the flood are unaccounted for. The search, which extended to the last section of the tunnel, was carried out by the Nepalese Army, project engineers, and drone teams, all of whom reported no signs of human presence. Following the unsuccessful search, the rescue teams returned to Dhunche.

The status of the three employees on duty inside the underground powerhouse remains unknown, raising questions regarding their whereabouts during the flood. The Army’s claim of no one found inside the tunnel contrasts with the fact that three employees who were on duty there remain unreachable, casting doubts on the government’s search-and-rescue operations. A project official confirmed that all three were on duty inside the underground powerhouse when the flood occurred.

The employees on duty during the flood were Kishor Nyaupane from Palpa, Santosh Paudel from Pyuthan, and Chiring Tamang from Rasuwa. Their situations have yet to be clarified. While the search and rescue teams have declared no survivors, hundreds of other employees and laborers were working in the external areas of the project at the time of the flood. According to project officials, 93 employees and laborers remain missing since the flood.