Democracy For Nepal: Top 10 News Stories from Nepal (June

Friday, July 11, 2025

1. Monsoon Floods Wash Away Nepal-China Friendship Bridge, 28 Missing

On July 8, 2025, catastrophic monsoon floods swept away the Nepal-China Friendship Bridge at Rasuwagadhi in the Rasuwa district, a major trade route 120 km north of Kathmandu. The incident left 28 people missing, including six Chinese nationals, three police officers, and several Nepali workers and traders.

Casualties: At least eight confirmed dead.
Damage: The customs yard and border facilities sustained major destruction, halting trade with China.
Response: Nepal’s Army and Armed Police Force rescued 55 people via helicopter, but search operations for the missing continue.
The incident has drawn bilateral concern, affecting Nepal-China infrastructure cooperation.

📚 AP News | NYT | Reuters

2. Tibetan Glacial Lake Outburst Identified as Flood Trigger

According to a July 9 report by ICIMOD and regional climate researchers, the flash flood was likely caused by a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in Tibet.

Scientific cause: Sudden drainage of a glacial lake in Tibet fed into the Bhote Koshi river, overwhelming infrastructure downstream.
Climate implications: Highlights the urgency of climate resilience in Himalayan border regions and calls for cross-border data sharing and early warning systems.

🌍 This is part of a growing trend: over 3,000 glacial lakes in the Hindu Kush Himalayas are classified as potentially dangerous.

3. Indigenous Forest Guardians Protect Nepal’s Endangered Red Pandas

On July 9, global media spotlighted grassroots conservation efforts led by Indigenous guardians like Surya Bhattarai to protect the critically endangered red panda (Ailurus fulgens).

Threats: Habitat destruction, illegal logging, unregulated road building, and hydropower expansion.
Conservation status: Fewer than 10,000 red pandas remain globally; Nepal is home to an estimated one-third of the wild population.
Indigenous models: Emphasis on traditional ecological knowledge and community-led conservation zones.

📰 ICT News - Indigenous Report

4. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Resumes Through Nepal

The reopening of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route through Nepal was announced in early July after a pandemic-induced hiatus and cross-border delays.

Religious significance: Mount Kailash is sacred to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon followers.
Route: The path via Nepal (through Simikot and Hilsa) is a shorter, safer, and alternative to the traditional Chinese route.
Economic impact: The yatra is expected to boost religious tourism, especially in Karnali Province, creating income for local guides, lodges, and porters.

5. NEPSE Index Crosses 2,700 as Investor Confidence Rises

On July 10, 2025, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) reached a multi-month high, surging to over 2,740 points, reflecting strong momentum in banking, hydropower, and insurance stocks.

Market factors: Increased liquidity, optimism over monsoon-linked agriculture yields, and improved investor sentiment.
Economic context: The upswing follows government assurances of capital market reforms, digital trading improvements, and reduced interest rates.

6. Governance Reform Debates Resurface in Nepal’s Banking Sector

A July 10 editorial in The Kathmandu Post argued that poor governance—not shareholding concentration—is the root issue plaguing Nepal’s financial sector.

Background: Nepal Rastra Bank has been investigating ownership transparency, especially in Class A commercial banks.
Core concerns: Political appointments, insider lending, and delayed regulatory action continue to undermine public trust and FDI prospects.

7. 10th National Games Scheduled for November 2025

The Prime Minister formally announced that the 10th National Games will take place in November 2025, with host province Gandaki preparing venues.

Significance: Encourages youth engagement in sports and fosters national unity across ethnic and regional lines.
Scope: Events to include athletics, football, swimming, martial arts, and more, with thousands of athletes from all seven provinces.

8. Nepali Diaspora Supports Women’s Football in Uzbekistan

In a heartwarming development, Nepali fan Himgyap Tashi Lama traveled from the US to Uzbekistan to rally support for Nepal’s women’s football team, drawing global attention.

Impact: The spontaneous diaspora cheer squad surprised players and boosted morale, highlighting diaspora passion for national teams.
Global trend: Reflects the increasing visibility of Nepali athletes abroad and calls for better infrastructure and support back home.

9. Former Cricket Coach Desai’s Winning Legacy Honored

Former national cricket coach Monty Desai, who led Nepal to 11 wins out of 12 matches in the ICC CWC League 2, was honored in a July 10 tribute piece.

Milestone: His leadership played a pivotal role in qualifying Nepal for the 2023 ODI World Cup Global Qualifiers.
Legacy: Set a new benchmark for professionalism and team cohesion in Nepal’s rising cricket landscape.

10. Renewed Advocacy for Reproductive Rights in Nepal

A July 10 op-ed emphasized reproductive autonomy and education, urging the government to safeguard universal access to reproductive health services.

Background: While Nepal legalized abortion in 2002 and expanded access through public hospitals, rural disparities and cultural stigma persist.
Call to action: The piece calls for investment in awareness, safe clinics, and the integration of sexual health education into school curriculums.

Summary Notes:

Dominant Theme: Climate risk and resilience remain at the forefront, with the bridge collapse highlighting both environmental fragility and bilateral challenges with China.
Conservation and identity: Indigenous guardians, red panda protection, and religious pilgrimages signal Nepal’s delicate balance between tradition and modernity.
Finance and sports: Optimism in NEPSE, sports development, and diaspora involvement suggest growing institutional confidence and national pride.