Tag: NEPAL

Of the climbers, 73 are from the United States, with 72 and 69 from China and France, respectively…reports Asian Lite News

Nepal had issued 870 permits for climbers to scale 37 mountains in the country during the fall climbing season.

The Department of Tourism on Wednesday allowed 668 males and 202 females from 70 countries and regions to climb the peaks, including Mount Dhaulagiri (8,167 metres) and Mount Manaslu (8,163 metres), the world’s seventh and eighth highest.

Of the climbers, 73 are from the United States, with 72 and 69 from China and France, respectively, according to Xinhua news agency.

“We still have more than a month for this season. We’re expecting to cross last year’s number,” said Rakesh Gurung, director of the tourism department.

About 1,300 permits were issued by the agency during the fall climbing season in 2023.

The fall climbing season in Nepal starts in September and runs until November.

Indian climber rescued

The Russian Emergencies Ministry earlier this week said that it has successfully rescued a climber from India, who fell ill while attempting a solo ascent of Mount Elbrus.

The climber, a 32-year-old man, encountered difficulties at a challenging altitude of 5200 metres and had not registered his route before the climb, the ministry revealed.

The rescue operation, coordinated by the Elbrus High-Mountain Search and Rescue Team of the Russian Emergencies Ministry, involved five skilled personnel who were swiftly dispatched to the site after receiving a distress call.

The team worked under difficult conditions, carefully evacuating the climber to safety. He was transported to a mountaineering camp, where he is now receiving medical attention and recovering.

The Ministry has reiterated the importance of proper route registration and climbing in groups, especially in such high-altitude environments.

Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe, is a popular destination for climbers worldwide, but its severe weather conditions and challenging terrain demand careful planning and professional support.

The incident, said the Russian ministry, underscores the crucial role it plays in safeguarding lives, particularly in remote and hazardous regions like the Caucasus Mountains.

“The swift and efficient response of the Russian Emergencies Ministry highlights their expertise and commitment to protecting both locals and international visitors in the country’s most extreme environments,” the ministry said in a statement.

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In September alone, foreign arrivals stood at 96,305, marking an increase of 5.82 per cent over the same month of last year…reports Asian Lite News

More than 800,000 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the first nine months of this year, up 21 per cent from the same period of last year, the latest figures showed.

Nepal received 835,629 foreign visitors by September this year, as against 692,372 in the previous year, according to figures unveiled by the Nepal Tourism Board.

In September alone, foreign arrivals stood at 96,305, marking an increase of 5.82 per cent over the same month of last year, Xinhua news agency reported.

“This is the highest number of tourists for September,” said Mani Raj Lamichhane, director of the board.

He told Xinhua that Indians accounted for the majority of the foreign visitors, followed by Americans and Chinese.

Nepal received 1,197,191 foreigners in 2019 and it hoped to break the record this year.

Meanwhile, the World Bank on Wednesday projected a growth of 5.1 per cent for Nepal in the current 2024-25 fiscal year starting in mid-July, below the Nepali government’s 6 per cent target.

Growing tourist arrivals, more hydropower generation and expected growth in paddy production shall contribute more to Nepal’s gross domestic product, the bank said in its Nepal Development Update report.

The South Asian country achieved a growth of 3.9 per cent in 2023-24, noted the international financial institution.

The bank is expecting Nepal’s private sector to contribute more to its growth by taking advantage of the central bank’s loosening of monetary policies and easing of regulatory requirements, Xinhua news agency reported.

It has projected Nepal’s economy to grow by 5.5 per cent in the next fiscal year.

In its report released last week, the Asian Development Bank forecast a 4.9-percent growth for Nepal in 2024-25.

“Maintaining growth momentum is key to Nepal’s development,” said David Sislen, the World Bank’s Country Director for the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

“This requires continued reform in critical areas such as infrastructure, governance, human capital development and developing an environment which encourages and supports the private sector,” Sislen was quoted as saying in a statement.

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The authority also has alerted people to be cautious before travelling. It also has requested all to take shelter in safer places along the highway in case of heavy rain….reports Asian Lite News

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has issued warnings of possible heavy rainfall across various locations in Bagmati and Koshi urging people to exercise caution while travelling.

Issuing a notice, the authority warned that heavy rainfall is expected till Friday. “After the heavy rainfall since last week of September, land mass in various locations have weakened and light rainfall also can contribute to further destruction resulting in landslide and flash floods,” the authority stated in the notice.

The authority also has alerted people to be cautious before travelling. It also has requested all to take shelter in safer places along the highway in case of heavy rain. The warning comes after the Weather Forecasting Division said that monsoon winds are currently affecting the country.

According to the Division, the weather is presently partly cloudy to mostly clear in the hilly areas of Bagmati and Gandaki provinces, including the Koshi Province, where light rain and lightning have been reported in a few locations.

The Division has reassured the public that there is no need to panic, as continuous rain is not expected on Wednesday and Thursday across various parts of the country.

Meteorologist Govinda Jha said that there is a likelihood of light to moderate rain in some areas of Koshi Province and the hilly regions of Bagmati and Gandaki provinces. He noted that while there is a possibility of heavy rain in certain areas of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, it will not be continuous like last week.

Although there is some panic in many areas, there is no need for alarm, according to him.

This afternoon, the weather is expected to remain partly cloudy to mostly clear in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces. Light to moderate rain with lightning is possible in some areas of Koshi province, as well as a few locations in Bagmati and Gandaki provinces, and one or two places in the remaining provinces.

Tonight, light to moderate rain with thundershowers is anticipated in some parts of Koshi province, a few areas of Bagmati and Gandaki provinces, and one or two locations in the remaining provinces. Heavy rain is also possible in one or two areas of the Koshi region.

According to the Division’s forecast for the next 24 hours, the weather will remain partly cloudy to mostly clear in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces. During this time, light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning may occur in some areas of Koshi Province, a few locations in Bagmati and Gandaki provinces, and one or two places in the remaining provinces. (ANI)

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