Festivities prompted exodus from Kathmandu

Kathmandu, 20 Oct: As one of the major festivals in Nepal, Dashain, began and to be followed by series of other festivals including Tihar and Chhat, large number of people are deserting Kathmandu for home in a celebration mood.

Over 1,00,000 people left the valley to partake in the festivities at home in the past 24 hours alone, said Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office.

The number of people returning back home since the first day of Dahsain- Ghatasthapana- till today, surpassed 4,66,000, it said.

The actual number of people leaving the valley may be higher as those going on private vehicles have been excluded from the above count.