Denizens in the Valley, which was relatively warmer till noon, shivered due to cold with sudden raindrops caused by what meteorologists call westerly winds. Meteorological Forecasting Division (MFD) recorded 6.1 mm rainfall in the Valley Monday. [break]
However, maximum temperature in Kathmandu rose to 17.2 degree Celsius as the Valley remained sunny till noon.
Weathermen say parts of the country, especially in the central and eastern regions, are likely to experience more winter rains in the next few days.
"Weather will slightly improve by Tuesday. However, Kathmandu and eastern parts of the country will remain cloudy with chances of more rains," said senior meteorologist Rajendra Shrestha. He said that hilly areas around the Valley like Phulchoki and Shivapuri are likely to receive snowfall if the rains continued.
Snowfall has led to the closure of educational institutes in hilly districts. Transport services have also come to a grinding halt in some parts.
According to Republica correspondent Barun Paneru, transport service has been badly affected following snowfall in Gaira of Doti and Sahukharka of Dadeldhura along the Bhimdutta Highway. Even though District Police Office, Doti tried to clear snow on the highway by using a dozer, dozens of passengers were still stranded till Monday evening.
Dozens of schools, including Gauri Shankar Secondary School in Gaira of Doti and Janata Primary School in Goganpani of Doti, have been shut down since Monday due to heavy snowfall.
A Nepal Airlines plane (9 N 1 BS), which took off from Salle airport of Rukum for Kathmandu, had to land in Pokhara. The plane carrying 16 passengers could not land in Kathmandu due to poor visibility as it lacked Instrument Flight Rule (IFR). Similarly, an Agni Air plane that landed in Pokhara on Monday failed to return to Kathmandu.
Although normal life was badly hit by cold, farmers appear happy with winter rains.
"It is very cold due to rains and snow but I am not worried," said Pabindra Shahi, a farmer in Martadi of Bajura district. "Before the rains, I was anticipating a famine as my wheat crop was on the verge of damage due to drought. Farmers like me are now relieved."
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