Tremor felt in Nepa of Dailekh

Kathmandu, June 4: An earthquake has occurred with its epicentre around Nepa of Dailekh district at 10.30 am today, the National Earthquake Measurement and Research Centre said.

Centre chief Bharat Koirala said that the earthquake measured 4.1 on the Richter scale. “The tremor occurred with epicentre around Nepa of Dailekh and we suppose it did not cause major damage. No information of damage due to the tremor has been received so far,” he added.

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Gold price soars Rs 1,700 per tola

Kathmandu, June 4: Price of yellow metal has increased by Rs 1,700 per tola (11.66 grams) in the domestic market today.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the hallmark gold is being traded at Rs 142,700 per tola today against 141,000 on Monday.

Similarly, the federation has fixed the price of worked gold at Rs 142,000 per tola. It was traded at Rs 140,000 on Monday.

Likewise, the price of silver has gone up by Rs 25 per tola and determined at Rs 1,860 today as against Rs 1,835 the previous day.

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Influence of local wind brings rain and respite in Valley

Kathmandu, June 4: The Kathmandu Valley witnessed a thundershower due to the influence of the local wind today. According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, the local wind developed from the vicinity of Butwal, southwest of Katmandu, entered the Valley via Dhading, causing the rainfall. 

According to Division’s senior meteorologist Min Kumar Aryal, the wind triggered the rains for an hour and a half before it moved towards the north.  This is a pre-monsoon phenomenon, he said.

At present, Nepal is experiencing the influence of local winds, partial impact of the Westerly wind, and a low-pressure system that is currently spread from the Northwest State of India to East Bengal.

According to the Division, there is partly to generally cloudy in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces along with the hilly regions and partly cloudy in the rest of the country.

Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to take place at a few places in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces and at one/two places in the rest of the country.

There are chances of light snowfall at one or two places in the country’s high hilly and mountainous region.

Similarly, tonight, there will be partly to generally cloudy in Koshi, Madhesh, and Gandaki province along with the hilly regions and partly cloudy to mainly fair in the rest of the country. Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places in Koshi, Madhesh, and Gandaki provinces and at one/two places in the rest of the country.

Monsoon is anticipated to enter Nepal on coming June 13, although this date may vary by a couple of days. In Nepal, the monsoon period is tentatively set from June 1 to September 30.

More rainfall than average has been predicted during monsoon this year in Nepal.

It is said rainfall more by 35.4 to 55.4 percent than average has been predicted in most parts of the country in the coming monsoon.

The north-west part of the Sudurpaschim Province, the south-east part of Bagamati, the central part of Madhesh, and the central and mid-west parts of Koshi Province are likely to see more rain (35.4 percent to 65.5 percent) than average this time.

Similarly, the western part of Karnali, central part of Gandaki, and the northeast part of Koshi are likely to witness rain more by 35-45 percent than average.

The minimum precipitation in most parts of the county is likely to be more than average by 35-65 percent.

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NC lawmaker Gautam calls for forming national consensus government

Kathmandu, June 4: Nepali Congress lawmaker Sanjaya Kumar Gautam has pointed out the need of reforms in the present governance system and called for forming a government of national consensus.

Speaking in the ‘special time’ in a meeting of the House of Representatives today, he urged all the political parties to rise above partisan interests and work in the national interest. Lawmaker Gautam also called for amending the constitution in order for the national consensus government to bring about a change in the governance system.   

He drew the attention of the government, through the Speaker, for reducing the risk of floods and landslide. Gautam expressed worry over the decrease in the water level in the Karnali river and the increase in incidences of human-wildlife conflict.

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Leader Bhattarai suggests mayor Balen not to make provocative statement

Kathmandu, June 4: CPN (UML) lawmaker Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai has urged mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Balendra Shah, not to make provocative statement towards political leadership.

During the special time in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, leader Bhattarai objected to Mayor Shah’s mocking the jail life of leaders of political parties, who were responsible for bringing about epoch-making political change in the country.

“We are ready to support KMC mayor. CPN (UML) Chair KP Sharma Oli-led government had supported for the waste management of Kathmandu Valley,” he said.

Indicating to mayor Shah, lawmaker Bhattarai underlined, “What is your plan to make Kathmandu more beautiful. Let’s work together. I urge not to carry out disorderly activities.”

He expressed the belief that a parliamentary probe committee formed to investigate on cooperative fund fraud would present a clear concept regarding policy-level problems of cooperatives, adding the UML was ready for investigation into all scams.

“Our party and party chairperson was accused in a premeditated manner on Giribandhu issue,” the lawmaker expressed, stating that many issues related to the people could not be raised due to House obstruction by the Nepali Congress.

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Combined efforts stressed for combating institutional corruption

Kathmandu, June 4: CPN (Maoist Centre) lawmaker, Lekhnath Dahal, has said that collaborative efforts are needed to combat institutional corruption.

Airing his views in a special hour of the House of Representatives (HoR) session today, the lawmaker said this.  He argued that efforts for “good governance” and “prosperity” initiated by the Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’-led government be accelerated. He also took time to express his concerns over an increasing culture of obstructing the House.

“It is time to objectively review this culture.  The House has remained obstructed for months once a dispute arose,” he said.

Lawmaker Dahal was of the view of seeking roles of concerned constitutional bodies and the State’s authorities to deal with the disputes of the respective nature, instead of halting the parliamentary proceeding over that.  He stressed the House should be allowed to work as per the parliamentary rules and regulations and that unparliamentary practices should not be carried out here. 

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