The column of trucks waiting to enter Nepal through the Sunauli border is usually 10 km long, traders say.

The hospital had received three ventilators from provincial government but there are no staff to operate them.

Most of the plants that have been forced to cut output are those producing cement, iron and steel, brick, tile and construction materials.

Local workforce is filling the vacuum created by foreign migrant workers who left for their home countries when the pandemic hit.

243 people treated at a local hospital for dog bites in the past one month.

Local units in the bordering areas say they can’t let the people enter the country until the centre takes a decision.

Authorities have coordinated with the respective local units to transport the returnees home.

But completion is still some way off due to lack of essential equipment, said officials.

Nepali authorities say they are concerned about the free movement of people as the Kolhui Bazaar in India, which lies just across the border, reported six Covid-19 patients on Saturday.

The Nepalis reached Sunauli border point from various parts of India three days ago and are waiting to be allowed in.

In the last week, thousands of people entered Nepal through various border points in Province 5. Nobody knows where they are now.

Major border points have health desks set up to screen footfall, most health desks are ill-equipped and under-staffed.

The municipality had been dumping garbage at the Paklihawa area, which lies in the border of Siddharthanagar Municipality Ward No. 1 and 2

Hotel Association Nepal said it would launch special packages after identifying potential tourist markets.

Experts say an increase in the supply of Indian currency has led to reduced business for money changers.