Nepal News Evening Briefing | Monday, October 19, 2026

KATHMANDU: Stay updated with Nepal News’ evening briefing, bringing you the day’s most important developments from Nepal and across the globe. From politics and economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we deliver a concise roundup of the top news you need to know.

President Paudel Visits Naksal Bhagwati Temple

President Ram Chandra Paudel visited the Naksal Bhagwati temple in Kathmandu on Monday to offer prayers. The visit followed the tradition of the head of state visiting various shrines within the valley during the Dashain festival. President Paudel, accompanied by First Lady Sabita Paudel, participated in the worship and received flowers, prasad, and tika from the temple priest. It is a long-standing tradition for the president to visit several prominent Shakti Piths during the Dashain period, including Naksal Bhagwati, Shobha Bhagwati, Bhadrakali, Maitidevi, Kalikasthan, Sankata, Naradevi, and Dakshinkali.

NDRRMA Reports 20 Disaster Incidents Causing One Death in 24 Hours

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) recorded 20 disaster incidents across 18 districts in Nepal, leaving 1 person dead and 16 injured in the 24 hours ending at 10:00 AM on Monday, October 19. Detailed in Bulletin No. 2297, the incidents caused estimated financial losses of Rs 1,451,000 and killed 1 head of livestock. Emergency response efforts deployed 74 police personnel, including 46 officers for 11 fire incidents that injured nine people, 23 officers for seven snakebite incidents causing 1 death and 6 injuries, and 5 officers for 2 wild animal attacks injuring 1 person. Between April 14 and October 19, Nepal recorded 7,416 total disaster incidents affecting 9,503 families nationwide, resulting in 385 deaths, 14 missing individuals, and 2,421 injuries, with major casualties driven by snakebites, landslides, floods, lightning strikes, building fires, and altitude sickness.

Nepal Prioritizes Himalayan Protection and Climate Justice for Upcoming COP31 Summit

Nepal will prioritize climate justice, protection of the Himalayan region, climate adaptation, and loss and damage claims at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Antalya, Turkiye, from November 9 to November 20, 2026. Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment Secretary Rajendra Prasad Mishra stated that the delegation will highlight severe disaster losses in mountain communities, including recent hazards in the Bhote Koshi and Budhi Gandaki regions. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal will lead the national delegation alongside Minister of Forests and Environment Gita Chaudhary. Prior to the summit, the government will host a national conference on October 29, to finalize its position paper, while Climate Change Management Division Head Maheshwar Dhakal confirmed ongoing negotiations to secure post-disaster recovery assistance from the global Loss and Damage Fund.

Western Winds Bring Clouds, Chance of Rain and Snow in Himalayan and Hilly Regions

Partial cloud cover was observed in the hilly and mountainous regions of the country on Monday under the influence of westerly winds, while the Terai region and the hilly areas of Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces remained mostly clear, according to the Weather Forecasting Division. The Division said partial cloud cover occurred in the hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, as well as in the mountainous areas of Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces. The weather system also brought the possibility of light rain and snowfall accompanied by thunder or lightning at one or two places in the mountainous region and in the hilly areas of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces. The Division attributed the weather conditions to the partial influence of westerly winds over the country.

Kathmandu Valley Records Minimum Temperature of 14°C

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology recorded a minimum temperature of 14.0 degrees Celsius in the Kathmandu valley on Monday morning. Meteorologist Binu Maharjan stated that this initial reading was taken at 5:45 AM. The official minimum temperature for the day will be determined by the final reading at 8:45 a.m. Maharjan noted that the temperature might drop further or remain the same by the time the final measurement is recorded. Additionally, there is little to no chance of rain in the Kathmandu valley today.

Foreign Employment Board Announces 24-Hour Free Corpse Transportation Services Throughout Festive Holidays

The Foreign Employment Board secretariat announced uninterrupted 24-hour coordination services to provide free transportation of deceased Nepali migrant workers’ bodies from Tribhuvan International Airport directly to their residential home addresses throughout the Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath festival public holidays. Operating in accordance with Rule 28 (A) of the Foreign Employment Regulations, 2007, the board designated official spokespersons alongside authorized logistics service providers, including Seti Ganesh Suppliers, RD Transport Service, and Buddhadhwaj Transport Service, to manage logistical arrangements without interruption. Affected families requiring coordination assistance can utilize the board’s toll-free telephone hotline 1141 or directly contact assigned administrative personnel to ensure seamless repatriation support during festive closures.

Ministry Finalizes Roadmap to Unbundle Electricity Authority into Independent Commercial Entities

The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation reached the final stages of formulating a structural reform roadmap to divide the Nepal Electricity Authority into three distinct corporate entities specializing in electricity generation, transmission, and trading operations. Authorized under current fiscal year budget provisions, a dedicated ministry committee advanced institutional unbundling discussions referencing international operational models to separate commercial functions previously managed under a single organizational umbrella. While the government initiated preliminary unbundling frameworks starting in 2014 through the establishment of subsidiary generation, transmission, and trading corporations, energy sector specialists emphasized the critical necessity for clear legal frameworks, asset management protocols, and comprehensive staff adjustment guidelines prior to full operational division.

Himalayan Yak Farmers’ Network to Link Nepal, Bhutan and India