Nepal Weekly - 2026-09-30

Sep 30, 2026

Nepal business, finance and trade news, every Wednesday.

aerial photography of community on mountain — Photo by Kalle Kortelainen on Unsplash

Balen Takes Nepal's Flood Case to the UN

Prime Minister Balendra Shah used his first UN General Assembly address to present last month's Bhotekoshi-Trishuli flood as a warning about climate risk. At least 1,400 people are confirmed dead and more than 6,000 remain missing. Shah said reconstruction could cost the equivalent of about 10 percent of Nepal's economy, and made sure to mention that the country produces less than 0.1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Shah proposed that Nepal, India and China share satellite data, monitor glacial lakes and coordinate cross-border warnings. He also asked for grants instead of more debt. Nepal has requested the $20 million maximum from the Loss and Damage Fund (which is a pittance when measured against an initial damage estimate of $5 billion). The World Bank has offered $170 million in emergency financing, and the United States has thus far promised $31 million for recovery.

Separately, Nepal has asked China to help restore the flood-damaged road to the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border crossing. Crews are building a temporary road along the existing route, which is a vital link for people in Rasuwa. Beijing will consider helping after Nepal submits a detailed proposal, the Chinese ambassador said.

Police Hold Former Chief Justice Without Warrant

Plainclothes officers took former chief justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana from his home shortly after midnight Sunday without bothering to even flash a warrant. Police then released him 12 hours later without filing a case, saying they moved him for his safety after an unidentified group sent a threatening text. A government spokesperson denied that Rana had been arrested.

The explanation has raised some eyebrows.

Indian Screening at TIA Lacks a Paper Trail

Indian personnel have screened passengers boarding Air India and IndiGo flights at Tribhuvan International Airport since service resumed after the 1999 hijacking of flight IC814. Six to eight screeners handle each departure, including pat-downs on the apron, bu no Nepali agency has produced an agreement authorizing the practice. When Kantipur asked for it, the Tourism Ministry, Home Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority all pointed to one another. An Indian minister told Parliament in 2000 that airlines needed “extra security measures” but didn’t say who would run the checks.

Fast Track Slips to 2030

The Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track is now due in April 2030, the third extension since the Nepali Army took charge in 2017 with a four-year target. Only about half the work is done. The estimated cost has climbed from Rs 85 billion ($559 million) to Rs 213 billion ($1.4 billion), and officials are warning that its likely to rise by another Rs 20 billion ($131 million).

Fuel Import Bill Up 73 Percent

Nepal spent Rs 65.49 billion ($431 million) on petroleum imports in the first two months of this fiscal year, which is a rather hefty 73 percent more than in the year-earlier period. Fuel made up about 16 percent of imports as the trade deficit grew 26 percent. Traders blamed higher crude prices, a stronger dollar and increased volume.

Parliament Puts Attendance Online

A trial website tracking lawmakers' attendance has pulled in more than 100,000 curious visitors in its first days. RSP lawmaker Sobha Khanal was a star, showing 97 percent attendance, while former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal pulled up the rear with a less-impressive 17 percent. The full site is expected to take advantage of the use of biometric logins and cover both houses in addition to all 16 parliamentary committees.

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