Here are today's top stories you may not want to miss.
As politicians promise money, survivors say they’ve heard it all before
After witnessing a devastating windstorm on Sunday night, Bara and Parsa districts have seen a whirlwind of visits by high profile political leaders. But survivors of the disaster who spent their first night under the open sky say they are desperately in need of relief, not announcements and promises of help from politicians.
Twenty-seven people died and thousands were injured when a powerful windstorm tore through villages of the two districts in the Tarai on Sunday night. But even before survivors could come to terms with the devastation and start picking themselves up from the rubble, leaders from Kathmandu started flying into the region.
A newly built bridge over Bishnumati River has been declared ‘risky’ but vehicles continue to ply on it
When a newly constructed bridge over the Bishnumati river connecting Teku and Kalimati came into operation about nine months ago, it was expected to give much needed respite from traffic congestion in the section.
The 62-metre bridge was constructed by Pappu Construction, a company with a dubious track record in the construction sector.
And in this case, the bridge, which was handed over to the Department of Roads in July 2018, was immediately declared “risky” for failing to meet the required standard. But vehicles are freely crossing the bridge.
With no roofs over their heads, villagers forced to sleep under open skies
Since the deadly rainstorm walloped his home on Sunday, Jaipal Ram has spent the last three nights under the open sky.
Jaipal and hundreds of villagers in Parwanipur Rural Municipality in Bara have since been inundated with help—but they say they still don’t have what they desperately need.
“We have received only food so far,” said Jaipal, as he sat in the rubble of his flattened house. “What we need immediately is a roof over our head.”
Rescue workers and organisations and individuals with relief materials have been in the village since Monday morning, but according to survivors, there has been a lack of understanding in identifying their immediate needs—tarpaulin sheets, sleeping mattresses and mosquito nets.
Judicial Council decision to pick judges draws flak from a section of legal fraternity
Judicial Council’s decision to recommend five Supreme Court justices and 18 High Court judges have come under fire from many senior advocates questioning the ‘competence’ of a number of appointees, with lawyers demanding discussions over justices selection criteria.
The council on Tuesday recommended five names—two from High Court chief judges and three from advocates—to fill the vacant positions of justices at the Supreme Court.
They are Chief Judge of Patan High Court Prakash Kumar Dhungana and Chief Judge of Surkhet High Court Sushma Lata Mathema; senior advocate Kumar Regmi; advocates duo Hari Prasad Phuyal and Manoj Kumar Sharma.
MMC count on home comfort in Cup clash against Abahani
Manang Marshyangdi Club face a tough fight when they play Abahani Dhaka in the first Group ‘E’ match of the AFC Cup, Asia’s second-tier club competition, at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Wednesday.
MMC are the top-tier league champions of Nepal and Abahani the Bangladesh Premier League winners. While MMC are the record seven-time ‘A’ Division League champions, Abahani have won the top-tier Bangladeshi league for a record six times. Both teams are gunning to kick start with a victory in the group which also include India’s I-League champions Minerva Punjab and ISL runners-up Chenniyin FC.
22.6°C Kathmandu
