POKHARA, August 20: Pokhara otherwise known for frequent rainy weather has witnessed poor rainfall this year.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology in Pokhara, even pre-monsoon rainfall was low this time.
Monsoon rainfall predicted to be less than average this year
“Even though incessant rains caused havoc in several parts of the country this year, Pokhara has witnessed below average rainfall this monsoon [June-September],” said the department chief Rajaram Prasad Dhakal. “There was very low rainfall even during the pre-monsoon season,” he added.
Pokhara used to see most of its rainfall in July and August but this year has been an exception -- just 155 mm has been recorded so far this August against past monthly average of 940 mm for the month. And July saw only 545 mm rainfall when the past average for the month was 940 mm. Although 11 days remaining in the month, there is no major rain forecast for August to cover the gap, according to Dhakal.
Low rainfall has hit the agricultural sector hard. Paddy transplanting has been affected.
