Latest news with #TheKathmanduPost
Hans India
3 days ago
- Climate
- Hans India
Flash floods wash away Nepal-China trade route, leave 8 dead
Kathmandu: At least eight people died and 19 have gone missing in the flash floods that struck Nepal's Rasuwa district, according to Nepal Police. The missing reportedly included 11 Nepali nationals, including two police personnel and six Chinese nationals. The flood on Tuesday wrought extensive damage to crucial trade infrastructure along the Nepal-China border, disrupting the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung trade corridor ahead of Nepal's major festivals. Traders in Nepal are concerned that the losses may amount to billions of rupees, potentially causing a spike in the prices of imported goods during the festive period. The primary imports through this border point included readymade garments, electronic items, footwear, and electric vehicles, the country's leading newspaper, The Kathmandu Post, reported. The Assistant Chief District Officer of Rasuwa stated that the massive flood swept away the Nepal-China Friendship Bridge and several newly imported electric vehicles (EVs) parked at the dry port. "We are currently focused on the search and rescue rather than collecting detailed damage reports," said Dhruba Prasad Adhikari, information officer at the Rasuwa District Administrative Office, adding that the damage assessment may be delayed due to adverse weather conditions. "As the weather remains unpredictable, aerial rescue by helicopter has become difficult. All communication networks have been knocked out, and the road network brought to a halt," Adhikari said. According to Ganga Bahadur Ghimire, senior vice president of the Nepal Trans Himalayan Border Commerce Association, the actual loss figures are still not estimated. However, early reports suggest that the value of damaged goods and physical infrastructure could amount to billions of rupees. "We've heard that 40 to 50 electric vehicles have been submerged, 17 containers carrying apples have been washed away, and 22 to 25 containers filled with footwear and electronic goods -- some already cleared through customs and others awaiting clearance -- have been inundated," Ghimire said. "We don't know how soon the route will reopen. We urge the government to quickly build a Bailey bridge so that stranded containers can be cleared and festival-targeted goods can reach the markets," he added.
Hindustan Times
15-06-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
King cobras found near Mount Everest, scientists issue warning after bizarre discovery
In a bizarre discovery, as many as 10 venomous snakes, including nine king cobras and one monocled cobra, were found near Mount Everest in Nepal within a span of one and a half months, The Kathmandu Post said in a report. Experts have warned that the appearance of these deadly snakes in colder climates near the Himalayan range could be a warning signal of worsening global warming. Typically, these snakes are found in tropical and humid areas such as paddy fields, swamps, and mangrove forests. "Those snakes were rescued from houses and compounds with the help of a snake rescuer and were released in the nearby forest. Locals have also found King Cobra eggs and nests in nearby jungles," Jaya Thapa Magar, a municipality officer, told The Kathmandu Post. Following the startling discovery of cobras near Mt Everest, scientists have suggested that climate change may be forcing these venomous reptiles to leave their natural habitats. Research indicates that hill and mountain temperatures in Nepal are rising at a rate of 0.05°C per year. This warming trend may allow tropical species to migrate to higher altitudes and thrive. However, some rescuers like Subodh Acharya believe the snakes may have been unintentionally transported from low-lying areas to higher altitudes via wood or haystacks on trucks, inadvertently introducing them to new habitats. According to the National Red Data Book of Nepal and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, king cobras are classified as a vulnerable species, threatened by ongoing habitat destruction, human conflict, and snakebites. The Lancet reported in 2022 that snakebites and resulting deaths are common in Nepal's Tarai region, with approximately 2,700 fatalities recorded each year. (Also read: Internet reacts to video of king cobra wearing knitted bear cap, man teasing it. Watch video)
The Star
15-06-2025
- Science
- The Star
As temperatures in Nepal rise, highly venomous snakes are slithering up to higher altitudes
Spotted near Mount Everest: Global warming might be leading venomous snakes to adapt and settle in higher altitudes, experts say. — SUBODH ACHARYA/The Kathmandu Post/ANN IN the past one and a half months, 10 highly venomous snakes typically found in warmer climates – nine King Cobras and a Monocled Cobra – have been rescued from various locations in the Kathmandu Valley. Both the snake species, common in Tarai districts, especially in the summer season, have now started to appear in the supposedly cooler hilly and mountainous areas as well. 'Locals have also found King Cobra eggs and nests in nearby jungles,' said Jaya Thapa Magar, chair of the municipality's ward. What worries experts is that these venomous snakes are not only starting to slither into hill and mountain areas but are also adapting and settling in the regions. Global warming might be behind the phenomenon, they say. Nepal is one of the countries most vulnerable to the climate crisis and has witnessed extreme weather events over the past decade and a half. Evidence indicates that the maximum temperature in Nepal is rising at a greater rate (0.05°C per year) than the minimum temperature (0.03°C per year). Meterologists said that compared to the districts of the Tarai region, hilly and mountainous districts have been witnessing a faster rise in maximum temperatures. Subodh Acharya, a snake rescue trainer from Mithila Wildlife Trust said that some of the tropical venemous snakes might have come to the Valley with the logs and hay in trucks and made their habitats there. Acharya, who rescued all the venomous snakes – king cobras and monocled cobras – said that people should be cautious while they are in forests, as rescued venomous snakes have been released there. Incidents of snakebite and resulting deaths are common in Tarai districts in southern Nepal during the summer. Each year, around 2,700 people, mostly children and women from Nepal's Tarai region, die of snakebites, according to a March 2022 report published in The Lancet, a leading international medical journal. However, snakebite cases are vastly underreported in the country. The government has committed to reducing 50% of deaths and disabilities through snakebite envenomation by 2030, the national target aligned with the World Health Organisation's 'Snakebite Roadmap'. Herpetologists and public health experts emphasise the urgency of raising awareness and training local health workers to meet this crucial health goal. Experts say authorities must also strengthen health infrastructures to achieve the target. Meanwhile, many people in rural areas lack awareness and often consult shamans instead of physicians when they are bitten by a snake. Doctors say women who go to the fields to collect fodder, farmers working in plantations or during harvest, and children who play in open areas are more vulnerable to snakebites. Poor people living in thatched-roof houses are also highly vulnerable to snakebite, as snakes visit such homes in search of rats, their food. Experts say there should be a greater awareness drive on keeping homes and surroundings clean, preventing children from playing in bushes, and avoiding walking outside at night. If absolutely necessary, people must use torchlights when walking in the dark. The Health and Population Ministry said that it has expanded treatment centres to around a dozen places in the hilly regions to address the growing number of venomous snakebite cases. Officials say they have already stockpiled the anti-snake venom and supplied it to treatment centres. Nepal imports quadrivalent antivenom from India, which is effective against four common species of snakes found in India: the common cobra, common krait, saw-scaled viper, and Russell's viper. The saw-scaled viper has not yet been found in Nepal. Deaths from pit viper bites in the hills and mountainous regions have also risen recently. However, the antivenom made for other venomous snakes does not treat pit viper bites. — The Kathmandu Post/ANN
NDTV
11-06-2025
- Science
- NDTV
King Cobras Found Near Mt Everest, Here's Why Experts Are Worried
Experts have raised concerns after a total of 10 venomous snakes - nine king cobras and a Monocled cobra - were captured near Mount Everest in Nepal in a span of one and a half months, T he Kathmandu Post reported. These snakes were rescued from four different locations - Gopaleshwor, Bhanjyang, Sokhol and Fulchowk areas - officials at the Dakshinkali Municipality confirmed to the news outlet. King Cobra is the world's longest venomous snake. Its venom is not the most potent among venomous snakes, but the amount it releases in a single bite is powerful enough to kill 20 people or an elephant. Here's why their presence near Mount Everest is concerning King cobras and Monocled cobras, both snakes, are mostly found in the Tarai regions in parts of southern Nepal and northern India. As the temperature continues to rise, they are now found nesting in hilly and mountainous areas as well. "Those snakes were rescued from houses and compounds with the help of a snake rescuer and were released in the nearby forest. Locals have also found King Cobra eggs and nests in nearby jungles," Jaya Thapa Magar, chair of the municipality's ward 1, told The Kathmandu Post. The experts are worried as the presence of these snakes in colder regions could be because of climate change, with experts suggesting that rising temperatures might be driving these tropical snakes to higher altitudes. If this change continues, it will impact the region's ecosystem. Subodh Acharya, a snake rescue trainer from Mithila Wildlife Trust, Janakpur, told the outlet, "These snakes might have come to the Valley with logs and hay in trucks, but have already made habitats here." The rescued venomous snakes have been released there, with Mr Acharya urging people to be vigilant while they are in the forests. Climate change in Nepal In the past few years, Nepal has witnessed extreme weather events linked to climate change. The maximum temperature in Nepal is rising at a rate of 0.05 degrees Celsius per year. King cobras are listed as vulnerable in the National Red Data Book of Nepal and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Habitat destruction, human conflict and snakebites are significant threats to king cobra populations. A report published in March 2022 in The Lancet, which is a leading international medical journal, highlighted that incidents of snakebite and resulting deaths are common in the Tarai districts during the summer. Each year, approximately 2,700 people, mostly children and women from Nepal's Tarai region, lose their lives because of snakebites.
News18
10-06-2025
- Climate
- News18
Deadly King Cobras Spotted Near Mount Everest, Experts Call It A Climate Change Sign
Last Updated: Experts believe the snakes' sudden presence in the hills and mountains may be a result of changing climate patterns. Some of the world's most venomous snakes have been turning up in the Kathmandu Valley. Over the past one and a half months, 10 highly venomous snakes – nine King Cobras and one Monocled Cobra – have been rescued from different parts of the Valley, a region which is closer to Mount Everest. According to The Kathmandu Post, officials from Dakshinkali Municipality said the King Cobras were rescued from areas like Gopaleshwor, Bhanjyang, Sokhol and Fulchowk. 'Those snakes were rescued from houses and compounds with the help of a snake rescuer and were released in the nearby forest," said Jaya Thapa Magar, chair of the municipality's ward 1. Locals have also reported spotting cobra nests and eggs in nearby jungles. King Cobras, the world's longest venomous snakes, usually live in dense forests of India, Southeast Asia and the Philippines. It is extremely rare for them to appear in the cooler, high-altitude areas of Nepal. The Monocled Cobra, known for the circular marking on its hood, is typically found in lowlands and wetlands. 'These snakes might have come to the Valley with logs and hay in trucks but have already made habitats here," Subodh Acharya, a snake rescue trainer from Mithila Wildlife Trust, Janakpur, told the outlet. He said he has rescued king cobras from several areas of the Valley, including Dakshinkali, Syuchatar, Gokarna, Godawari and the Sisneri area of Makwanpur. Experts believe the snakes' sudden presence in the hills and mountains may be a result of changing climate patterns. Nepal is among the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and has seen more extreme weather over the past 15 years. Data shows that the maximum temperature in Nepal is rising by 0.05°C every year which is faster than the rise in minimum temperature which is 0.03°C annually. According to the report citing meteorologists, hilly and mountain districts are warming faster than the Tarai that is possibly helping these snakes adapt and survive in new areas. To address the growing risk, the country's Ministry of Health and Population has expanded snakebite treatment centres to over a dozen locations in the hills. Officials have also stocked these centres with anti-snake venom imported from India. The antivenom treats bites from four common snakes: the common cobra, common krait, Russell's viper and saw-scaled viper. However, the saw-scaled viper is not yet found in Nepal. The report mentioned that bites from pit vipers in mountain areas are also on the rise. Current antivenoms are not effective against pit viper venom. First Published:
