The government has decided to formulate programmes to develop 25,000 MW in the next two decades. The previous government led by UCPN (Maoist) had projected development of 10,000 MW in the next ten years.

The allocated budget for hydropower is Rs. 14 billion 690 million for this fiscal year. This marks a 131 percent rise compared to the revised estimates of the previous fiscal year.

A study has said that rapidly increasing urbanisation has seriously impacted groundwater sources inside the valley.

If the present rate of urbanisation is unchecked, all the rechargeable areas inside the capital will be sealed off and groundwater cannot be recharged underground within the next 35 years, said the study.

An outbreak of diarrhoea epidemic that began in Jajarkot district some three months ago has not come under control yet.

Five persons died of the disease at Thalaraikar, Jugapathachaur and Kortang VDCs within past the two days, taking the death toll to 48.

A high- level regional meeting of SAARC countries to share experiences on rainwater harvesting and encouraging use of rainwater among countries concluded with a nine-point recommendation on Tuesday.

The three-day meeting on rainwater was organised by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW).

The government and Asian Development Bank (ADB) jointly formed an Independent Panel of Experts (PoE) on Thursday to analyse the social and environmental aspects of the 750-MW West Seti Hydro Electricity Project, a reservoir type project to be built in the Far-western region.

The Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Management Board (KVWSMB), which falls under the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW), has started formulating a new Water Management Regulation policy for the Valley, officials said.

The World Bank (WB) has approved US$ 89.2 million to support the Nepal government's energy crisis management action plan. The bank's new support is basically an additional financing of the Nepal Power Development Project (NPDP) approved on May 22, 2003.