Rescue teams, including divers, are battling deep, murky water and strong currents to locate the microbus that fell off the Karnali Highway in Dailekh, as authorities try to identify passengers.

The vehicle travelling from Surkhet to Kalikot plunged around 400 metres from Karnali Highway, prompting a rescue operation.

Authorities say contractors repeatedly ignored deadlines and warnings, leading to cancellations and action to blacklist firms and recover public funds.

From failed nurseries to incomplete testing labs, the ‘Organic Karnali’ campaign reveals significant implementation gaps.

Budgets focus on upgrading hospitals, expanding rural healthcare, strengthening maternal and specialist services, and improving access for vulnerable groups.

Only 18 kilometres of the 68-kilometre Gamgadhi-Nakche Nangla road have been opened, leaving residents of Mugum Karmarong reliant on costly mule transport and days-long walks for basic supplies.

Bagmati, Karnali and other provinces continue providing large sums via projects recommended by provincial assembly members, raising questions over compliance with Supreme Court ruling against the Constituency Development Fund.

Record harvests are expected across Karnali this year, but growers worry that poor roads, lack of cold storage and weak market systems will once again force them to sell apples at throwaway prices while consumers pay several times more.

The delay along the Jajarkot-Dolpa road continues to disrupt transport, inflate prices and force travellers to risk dangerous river crossings during the monsoon.

Heavy rain, glacial lake outbursts and weak geology are driving repeated disasters across Himalayan districts. Experts warn hundreds of settlements remain highly vulnerable.

Tourism entrepreneurs say over 15,000 Indian visitors have booked packages this year as the pilgrimage route through Humla sees increased demand.

Poverty, migration, child labour, teacher shortages and long school closures are pushing thousands of children out of classrooms across the province.

Delays in reconstruction, disputes over beneficiary lists and bureaucratic deadlock have left thousands of families facing a third monsoon in makeshift huts.

In a geography where good roads are non-existent, even patients needing urgent flight are forced to return from airports.

2026 sees a departure from the years-old story of students in remote districts not getting textbooks.