Kathmandu: Nearly 80 percent of the world’s poorest people, about 900 million individuals—are directly exposed to climate hazards intensified by global warming, the United Nations warned on Friday, calling it a “double and deeply unequal burden.”



“No one is immune to increasingly frequent and severe impacts of climate change such as droughts, floods, heat waves, and air pollution, but the poorest are hit hardest,” said Haoliang Xu, acting administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP).



The warning comes ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil this November, which Xu said must be viewed as “an opportunity to link climate action with poverty reduction.”



According to a joint UNDP and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative report, 1.1 billion people—18 percent of the population across 109 countries live in “acute multidimensional poverty,” lacking access to education, healthcare, electricity, and safe housing. Half of them are children.



The report highlights the overlap between poverty and exposure to environmental risks such as extreme heat, drought, floods, and pollution. It found that 887 million poor people are directly affected by at least one of these threats, while 11 million face all four within a single year.



Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia remain the most vulnerable regions, with 99 percent of the poor in South Asia exposed to at least one climate hazard.



The report warns that rising global temperatures threaten to erase hard-won development gains unless urgent, integrated action is taken. “Responding to overlapping risks requires prioritizing both people and the planet—and moving from recognition to rapid action,” it said.



- AFP

UN warns 900 million of world’s poorest face severe climate risks

Kathmandu: Daily life in the Kathmandu Valley is returning to normal after days of continuous rainfall came to a halt. The city experienced mild sunshine on Saturday morning, bringing relief to residents affected by flooding and waterlogging.



People displaced by Friday’s floods have begun returning home, while cleanup efforts are underway in flooded houses and shops. Rising waters in the Bagmati River had forced families living in squatter settlements along the riverbanks to evacuate.



Flooding had also affected vegetable markets in Balkhu and Kuleshwar, prompting traders to move their goods to safer areas. Security personnel and rescue teams operated boats overnight in Kuleshwar to evacuate residents trapped by floodwaters and continue to assist with cleaning and recovery operations.



Meteorologists said there is little chance of further heavy rainfall in the Valley, as the rain-bearing system has shifted toward Koshi Province. Domestic flights disrupted by bad weather are set to resume today, while international flights at Tribhuvan International Airport continued operating since Friday evening.

Kathmandu life returns to normal as rainfall eases

Kathmandu: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has forecast increased monsoon activity across Nepal beginning Friday, October 3, and has urged the public to remain alert and take necessary precautions. 



In a special monsoon bulletin issued Tuesday night, the Department said the heightened activity is due to the influence of a low-pressure trough developing from the Bay of Bengal, which is expected to bring rainfall to various parts of the country. 



Speaking to RSS, meteorologist Binu Maharjan said that while the current monsoon influence over Nepal remains relatively weak, the monsoon trough originating from the Bay of Bengal is gradually shifting towards Nepal from Odisha, India. 



It is likely to arrive in Nepal by Friday, triggering widespread rainfall. Monsoon conditions are expected to become more active in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces starting October 3. “Hence, there will be monsoon influence during this year’s Dashain festival,” Maharjan said. 



On October 3, light to moderate rain is forecast in some hilly and Terai areas of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces. A few areas in other provinces may also experience light rainfall. Additionally, one or two places in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces may see heavy rain. 



On October 4, many areas in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces are expected to receive light to moderate rain, with a few areas in other provinces also likely to see precipitation. Some areas in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini may experience heavy to very heavy rainfall. 



The pattern is expected to continue into October 5, with light to moderate rainfall likely in several places across Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, and isolated rain in other parts of the country. 



The Department has also forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in some areas of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki, with the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places. With the monsoon expected to remain active until the end of the Dashain festival, the Department has warned of possible landslides, floods, and soil erosions, which may disrupt road and flight services. 



The public is strongly advised to stay informed through updated weather bulletins and exercise caution, especially while traveling or residing in high-risk areas.



-RSS

Heavy monsoon rains forecast during Dashain, public urged to stay alert

Kathmandu: A total lunar eclipse will be visible from Kathmandu on the full moon night of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadra, which falls on Sunday, September 7. 



According to the Nepal Calendar Fixing Committee, the eclipse will begin at 10:11 pm on September 7 and will last for three and half hours, concluding at 1:04 am on September 8. 



This will be the first eclipse of the year 2082 BS in Nepal. The lunar eclipse always occurs in the full moon.

Total lunar eclipse in night of Sept 7

Kathmandu: The rhino census, which was halted last year after donors indicated they could not provide support, will be conducted this year. 



This year, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation has allocated some budget for this purpose. Dr Ram Chandra Kandel, the Director General of the Department, said that the tiger count is done every four years. 



Accordingly, this financial year, a tiger count will be conducted. According to him, the tiger census is starting in November. He mentioned that it will take about three months to conduct the tiger census. The tiger count is carried out in Parsa, Chitwan, Banke, Bardiya, and Suklaphanta national parks. 



For the tiger count, the Department has allocated Rs 1.8 million in the budget of the current fiscal year, and more than Rs 15 million is said to be required for this purpose. He said rhino counting programme has been scheduled for the month of April. 



It takes one month to count the rhinos. The rhino census will be carried out in Chitwan National Park, Parsa National Park, Shuklaphanta National Park, and Koshi Tappu National Park. Director General Kandel said Rs 1.8 million has been earmarked for the rhino census. 



The cost of conducting the rhino census is expected to exceed 20 million rupees. The remaining amount will be requested from donors. It was reported that there were 335 tigers in Nepal according to the tiger census conducted in 2022. 



According to the 2022 census, there are 128 tigers in Chitwan, 125 in Bardiya National Park, 25 in Banke National Park, 41 in Parsa, and 36 in Shuklaphanta. In Nepal, tiger census was also conducted in 2009, 2013, and 2018. 



In the 2009 count, 121 tigers were found across the country, 198 were found in 2013 and 235 in 2018. The rhino count is done by directly observing (in real-time) riding an elephant. Seven hundred and fifty-two rhinos were found in national parks and conservation areas across the country in the rhino count conducted in 2021. 



In the 1960s, the population of rhinos had decreased to about 100. It is estimated that there were 800 rhinos in Nepal in the 1950s. In the 2021 census, 694 rhinos were counted in Chitwan National Park. The rhino count increased from 29 to 38 in Bardiya National Park, and from eight to 18 in Shuklaphanta.

Tiger and rhino census to be conducted in November and April respectively

Kathmandu: President Ramchandra Paudel on Monday urged all countries to honor their commitments under the Paris Agreement, warning that both developed and developing nations must act to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.



Speaking at the opening of the Hindu Kush Himalaya Parliamentarians’ Conference in Kathmandu, Paudel said rising temperatures in the region have accelerated snowmelt, floods, and erosion, creating mounting risks for communities. “Climate change, biodiversity loss, and air pollution are no longer scientific theories but harsh realities,” he said, calling on delegates to forge a common roadmap for sustainability.



The president stressed that water from the Hindu Kush Himalaya sustains more than 2 billion people, making the protection of the region’s biodiversity critical to safeguarding food security, culture, and economies.



Outlining Nepal’s own climate efforts, Paudel cited disaster early warning systems, hydropower cooperation, solar promotion, community forest management, wildlife monitoring, expanded protected areas, and the promotion of electric vehicles. He acknowledged, however, that stronger adaptation and resilience policies remain necessary.



Paudel expressed hope the conference would institutionalize parliamentary dialogue and boost regional cooperation to tackle shared climate challenges.

President Paudel urges nations to uphold Paris agreement at regional climate conference

Kathmandu: The Weather Forecasting Division has stated that the monsoon wind has remained active in the western belt of the country compared to the eastern part. 



The Division said that the Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces and the hilly region of the country will remain generally cloudy today and remaining other parts will be partly cloudy. According to the Division, chances of light rain are there in some parts of Lumbini, Karnali, Sudurpaschim and Madhes provinces. 



Likewise, the Division has forecasted the chances of heavy rainfall in one or two hilly areas of Gandaki, Lumbini, Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces. Tonight, the hilly region of the country will be generally cloudy and remaining parts will be partly cloudy. 



It said that chances of light rain are likely in some areas of Gandaki, Bagmati, Lumbini and Karnali provinces.

Monsoon wind remains active in western part of Nepal

Kathmandu: Veteran NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore has retired from the space agency, just months after returning to Earth from a nearly year-long mission aboard the International Space Station, the Associated Press (AP) reported Wednesday.



Wilmore, 62, was one of two astronauts who launched last summer on Boeing’s first crewed flight of its Starliner spacecraft. Originally intended to be a one-week test mission, the trip stretched into a 286-day stay due to technical malfunctions that left the Starliner unable to safely return the astronauts to Earth. The capsule eventually returned empty, while Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams returned aboard a SpaceX capsule in March.



According to NASA, Wilmore's retirement comes after more than two decades of service as an astronaut. A former Navy pilot, he was first selected by NASA in 2000 and flew three space missions, logging a total of 464 days in orbit — nearly two-thirds of that from his final, unintended extended mission.



“Throughout his career, Butch has exemplified the technical excellence of what is required of an astronaut,” NASA’s chief astronaut Joe Acaba said in a statement. “As he steps into this new chapter, that same dedication will no doubt continue to show in whatever he decides to do next.”



While Wilmore is stepping away from the space program, Williams, 59, remains with NASA. Also a retired Navy captain, she recently participated in a summer reading challenge for students at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, alongside Second Lady Usha Vance.



Wilmore’s departure marks the end of an era for one of NASA’s most seasoned astronauts, whose career included vital roles in the testing of Boeing’s long-delayed crew transport system — part of NASA’s ongoing push for commercial partnerships in human spaceflight.



<ul>
<li>AP</li>
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NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore retires after record-long Boeing Starliner Mission

Kathmandu: Nepal has officially recorded the Siberian Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus) as a new bird species within its borders, adding to the country's growing list of avian diversity.



The bird, locally named Siberiyali Rajputrika, was first sighted on June 20 in the Manohara area of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality at an altitude of 1,319 metres. The initial discovery was made by a team of ornithologists — Supradeepta Neupane, Kumud Parajuli, and Shatrughan Pandey — who photographed the bird and suspected it to be of Siberian origin.



Following the sighting, the Nepal Bird Record Committee (NBRC), in collaboration with international ornithologists, conducted a detailed verification. The committee has now officially confirmed the species, according to its Chair, Dr. Tulsi Subedi.



The Siberian Sand Plover, listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List, typically breeds in Siberia and migrates across countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand.



With this confirmation, Nepal’s total number of officially recorded bird species has risen to 902, reinforcing the nation’s significance as a critical habitat for both migratory and resident birds.

New bird species, Siberian Sand Plover, officially recorded in Nepal

Kathmandu: Scientists have identified a new species of pterosaur, a flying reptile that lived over 200 million years ago, based on a fossilized jawbone discovered in Arizona in 2011. Using modern scanning technology, researchers confirmed the fossil belongs to a previously unknown species, now named Eotephradactylus mcintireae, meaning “ash-winged dawn goddess.”



Led by scientists from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, the discovery — published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — makes this the oldest known pterosaur found in North America, dating back 209 million years to the Triassic period.



The fossil was preserved in volcanic ash in what was once a riverbed in the Petrified Forest National Park. The site, part of the ancient supercontinent Pangaea, has yielded a wide array of fossils, including fish scales, teeth, bones, and even fossilized feces.



Dr. Ben Kligman, a researcher on the team, told the BBC that the pterosaur’s teeth showed heavy wear, indicating it likely fed on primitive, armored fish. The fragile nature of pterosaur bones makes such finds exceptionally rare, especially from the Triassic era.



Scientists say the site offers a rare glimpse into a transitional ecosystem, where now-extinct species like ancient amphibians and crocodile-like reptiles lived alongside ancestors of modern animals such as frogs and turtles. The find could open the door to more discoveries of early pterosaurs in similar rock formations worldwide.

New species of ancient flying reptile discovered in Arizona

Kathmandu: Air pollution is the number one risk factor for death and disability in Nepal. Single-sector solutions are not sufficient to meet any clean air target. Public policy and investment need to optimize air quality actions across sectors, prioritizing those with the most cost-effective solutions, says the World Bank in a new report.



The report, Towards Clean Air in Nepal: Benefits, Pollution Sources, and Solutions, serves as a foundational assessment of air pollution in the country and the airshed of the Indo-Gangetic Plain and Himalayan Foothills (IGP-HF).



The Kathmandu Valley and the Terai are Nepal’s air pollution hotspots, with no significant improvement over the past decade. Air pollution reduces life expectancy by 3.4 years for the average Nepali and causes approximately 26,000 premature deaths annually.



In addition to health, air pollution impacts labor productivity, tourism, and the aviation sector. The economic cost of poor air quality is equivalent to more than 6 percent of Nepal's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year.



“Clean air and economic growth are not in conflict. In fact, the cost of inaction on pollution is far greater than the cost of taking bold steps today," said Hon. Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, Minister for Forests and Environment. “From setting stricter industrial emission standards to promoting electric transport, the government is committed to cleaning Nepal’s air."



The multi-sectoral and multi-regional nature of air pollution requires action on many fronts:



Vehicle Emissions: Continuing to electrify vehicle fleets, including cars, motorcycles, buses, and trucks is critical to address air pollution. This needs to be complemented by strengthening the vehicle inspection and maintenance system and reducing road dust.



Industrial Emissions: Support for cleaner technology and fuel adoption in industries— including electric and pellet boilers and furnaces in small and medium enterprises—will help promote cleaner industries. Industrial facilities such as brick and cement factories also need to be supported to burn cleaner and more efficient fuels.



Household Cooking: Supporting households to adopt cleaner and, preferably, electric cookstoves is key to cutting household sources of air pollution. Biomass-fueled stoves create both indoor and ambient air pollution.



Forest fires: Forest fire prevention by reducing the fuel load and developing effective awareness programs is critical for reducing the likelihood of forest fires. Effective response systems to put out fires are also needed.



Transboundary pollution: Partnering effectively with neighboring countries is critical. Transboundary airflows carry pollutants across borders. The Indo-Gangetic Plain and Himalayan Foothills Region shares an airshed, meaning that pollutants can travel across borders, affecting air quality in multiple countries.



Nepal's unique geographical location, particularly the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley surrounded by mountains, exacerbates the problem.



“The World Bank is committed to helping Nepal strengthen its air quality improvement programs by leveraging financial and technical assistance and capacity-building support,” said David Sislen, World Bank Country Division Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. “As a steadfast champion of clean air for better health and prosperity, the World Bank continues to tap into its extensive knowledge and experience from around the world to ensure that our efforts to support cleaner air in Nepal are impactful and sustainable.”

Air pollution is number one health risk factor in Nepal: World Bank

Kathmandu: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey has said Sagarmatha, the world's highest peak, is the pride of the whole world.



Addressing a programme organized at local Basantapur on the occasion of the International Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) Day here this morning, Minister Pandey emphasized that everyone involved should actively work to enhance awareness for the conservation and promotion of Sagarmatha and attract tourists from around the world to Nepal.



"Sagarmatha is our identity and pride, and the world has also been proud of it. By successfully organizing the Sagarmatha Sambaad recently to establish the country's identity through the highest peak on Earth, we have made the global community aware of the problems faced by the country due to climate change.



The melting of Everest's snow affects not only Nepal and the Himalayan region but the entire planet. The dialogue was useful in highlighting that this is not only a problem for Nepal," he said on the occasion.



On the occasion of the International Sagarmatha Day, a morning procession was organized at Thamel, where there is considerable movement of tourists.



Among those present at the event were Minister Pandey, Officiating Tourism Secretary Indu Ghimire, Director General of the Tourism Department Narayan Regmi, Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board Deepak Raj Joshi, as well as tourism entrepreneurs, representatives from tourism-related organizations, government officials, security agencies, and the members of the general public.



Before that, a wreath was offered at the life-size statue of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary located in the premises of the Nepal Tourism Board.



The International Sagarmatha Day is marked on May 29 every year in commemoration of the successful ascent of Mount Everest by the Nepali Sherpa and Hillary for the first time on May 29, 1953.

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