Author: space4knews

A striking image captures lightning hitting the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

Following the rare gathering of four top leaders from the two major communist parties and former prime ministers on Sunday, who emphasized the need for leftist cooperation, a new wave of political dynamics has emerged within the CPN UML. General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel quoted Marx on social media, stating that “due to changes in time and context, it is inappropriate to repeat past events, slogans, and trends verbatim.” Former Prime Ministers KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ appeared to signal the necessity for unity in opposing government actions in response to Pokhrel’s dissenting views.

“Reorganization is currently essential in Nepali politics. The Nepali Congress is undergoing that process, and within the CPN UML, discussions about reorganization are occurring on both policy and leadership fronts,” said UML Vice President Raghuji Pant. “While a functional unity against the government’s wrongdoings is natural, slogans promoting unity or functional unity should not undermine the reorganization efforts. Perhaps that was the reality my colleagues wanted to point out.” The revelation that Pokhrel and others previously attempted to remove Oli from the UML chairmanship while supporting him has sparked this new political development.

The faction posing a challenge to Oli at the party convention had earlier been pressuring him to step down from leadership. Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari had openly indicated her intention to run for the chairmanship. However, as she was denied party membership, the group led by then Senior Vice President Ishwar Pokhrel contested Oli at the convention. There is a prevailing understanding that Oli engaged in “political maneuvering.”

Prachanda stated, “Leftists and patriots must unite as soon as possible against threats to national sovereignty, authoritarianism, foreign pressure, and interference.” Proposing cooperation in parliament, on the streets, and during elections, he said, “If it can be done today, then today; if tomorrow, even that is not easy. The sooner, the better. Delays will lead to more severe disasters.” Nonetheless, UML leader Gokul Baskota has ignored and criticized this call.

“This supposed message spread by the leadership, warning of grave danger, is an old tactic used to cover up their own failures and retain power,” Gokul Baskota wrote. “If reform and gaining strength are the goals, the party must first confront its splits and accept mistakes.” Former Prime Minister Oli has consistently described the events of Bhadra 23 and 24 as a “conspiracy,” alleging that the election was compromised by this plot. For the first time, Prachanda also stated at Sunday’s event that the Bhadra 24 incident was the result of election conspiracy.

Published February 10, 2023, Updated 35 minutes ago

Every year, hundreds of earthquakes occur worldwide, causing significant damage to people and property. On June 24th last year, two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within a minute, resulting in at least 1,450 deaths and over 4,300 injuries. The second quake, measuring magnitude 7.5, is considered the largest in Venezuela since 1900. Numerous buildings collapsed, leaving many people trapped under rubble or unable to evacuate. In February 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Turkey and Syria reportedly claimed over 55,000 lives and is regarded as the most devastating earthquake of this decade. Turkey lies in a high-risk seismic zone and has experienced five major earthquakes between 1939 and 1999. From 1900 to 2023, around 100,000 people have lost their lives in 76 recorded earthquakes across the region.

Another earthquake in Myanmar in March 2025 claimed 3,600 lives, while over 2,200 died in Haiti in 2021. In 2018, an earthquake in Indonesia killed more than 4,300 people, and over 400 lives were lost in Iran in 2017. Nepal’s powerful 2015 earthquake resulted in approximately 9,000 deaths. Last year, a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting tsunami warnings in multiple countries including the United States and Japan. This earthquake ranks among the six most powerful recorded in Russia. The US Geological Survey (USGS) documented magnitude 8.8 earthquakes in Chile in 2010 and Ecuador in 1906, though Russia’s event did not cause human casualties. Since last year, thousands of tremors have been detected on the Greek island of Santorini.

Scientists maintain that predicting the exact time and place of earthquakes remains beyond our current capabilities, although potential risk zones can be identified. Dr. Stephen Hicks, an earthquake expert at Imperial College London, states, “Unfortunately, we cannot predict earthquakes precisely.” However, forecasts and probabilities can be assessed. For example, early warning signs can be observed in areas like California and Japan. To stay safe, it is crucial to prepare. Since earthquakes occur unexpectedly, experts strongly recommend maintaining readiness and having an action plan in place. Dr. Hicks advises, “If you live in an earthquake-prone area, it is wise to keep emergency supplies at home.” These supplies should include extra water, flashlights, first aid kits, and food.

The Red Cross further recommends keeping copies of essential personal documents such as cash and medication lists as part of your preparedness kit. If your building remains stable, it is best not to evacuate unnecessarily. According to the USGS, remaining where you are during an earthquake reduces injury risk. Therefore, running outside or moving to another room is discouraged during shaking. Experts advocate the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” method as the cornerstone of earthquake safety. Dropping to your knees and protecting your head reduces the risk from falling objects. If no safer spot is nearby, taking cover under a table or desk until shaking stops is advised, even in older buildings. Stay away from windows and tall structures which are prone to collapse.

Only after the earthquake has ceased should you move to open areas. What should you do if you are indoors during an earthquake but outside when it strikes? Experts advise: “Stay where you are.” Outdoors, keep clear of power lines, internet cables, fuel, and gas pipes to avoid injuries. Select open spaces away from trees, telephone poles, and buildings. The Earthquake Country Alliance identifies common injuries and fatalities during earthquakes as resulting from falling or flying objects like televisions, lights, glass, and furniture. Securing heavy furniture with flexible straps is a recommended precaution. Another major post-earthquake hazard is gas leaks from ruptured pipelines. Dr. Hicks cites the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, where over 3,000 deaths occurred mostly due to gas pipeline explosions, advising everyone to stay clear of any flammable materials. He also emphasizes the importance of earthquake drills. “Some countries routinely conduct earthquake preparedness exercises where everyone practices appropriate responses. Such drills were absent in parts of Turkey affected recently because the region had not experienced an earthquake in a long time.”

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has issued a notice warning of potential heavy rainfall in some areas on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. In response, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has deployed personnel and resources based on risk assessments, particularly to prevent disasters. This year, the monsoon entered Nepal on June 19, six days later than usual. Due to insufficient rainfall from the delayed monsoon system, the department has now issued a “heavy rainfall” warning.

Following an extended period of intense heat, the threat of floods and landslides has increased with the onset of heavy rainfall. The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has urged the general public to remain vigilant and is fully prepared to respond to disasters. Vibhuti Pokharel, the department’s spokesperson, stated, “We have issued this notice because very heavy rainfall is expected in certain areas.” She explained that rainfall exceeding 100 millimeters within 24 hours is classified as “very heavy rainfall.”

According to the department’s advisory, monsoon activity will intensify on Ashad 16 and 17. In the hilly and Terai regions of Madhesh Province, as well as in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpaschim provinces, there is a possibility of “heavy rainfall” accompanied by thunder and lightning, with “very heavy rainfall” expected in one or two locations. Pokharel added, “We advise caution as flash floods could occur unexpectedly in some places.”

Interior Minister Sudhan Gurung has repeatedly shown concern regarding disaster response efforts. Drawing upon his experience of over 11 years in disaster relief and rescue operations, he stated that the government is more alert this time. Pradeep Kumar Koirala, Chief Executive and Secretary of the authority, noted, “Alerts have been issued across all areas.”

The authority has updated the stockpile of essential materials for disaster management and plans to continue these preparations throughout Monday. Additionally, this year’s rice transplantation conditions are worrisome, as the Department of Agriculture reports a decline in the area of land under rice cultivation.