With September 23 as the traditional date when monsoon retreats from Nepal, rainfall activities are lightly active at both Eastern and Western regions. However, monsoon in India had begun to retreat over a week ago.According to Raju Pradhananga, meteorologist at the Meteorological Forecasting Division (MFD) of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), the monsoon withdrawal date is likely to exceed the month of October as rainfall is still being observed.
"Although the monsoon withdrawal in Nepal started a week ago, there are high chances of monsoon to remain here for a while. The east and west are still experiencing moderate thunder burst and the sky is still cloudy," said Pradhananga.
This is not the first time monsoon withdrawal has been delayed in Nepal. As per the report of the MFD, monsoon withdrawal has been significantly pushed back since 1998.
In 1998, monsoon had left Nepal on October 3. The date had extended to October 8 in 1999, October 1 and 2 in 2004 and 2005 respectively. The withdrawal dates went further from 2007-9 to October 9, 17 and 15. In 2013, the withdrawal had been delayed until October 19. Monsoon in 2014 had left on October 7.
"This delayed monsoon withdrawal activity is still a mystery. No research has been conducted that can clearly explain this weather activity," said Pradhananga.
Over the months, monsoon has remained deficit. Out of 16 synoptic weather stations, rainfall has been recorded below normal at 9 stations. Monsoon this year remained mostly dry in Biratnagar, Dhankuta, Janakpur, Simra, Lumley and Bhairawa.
Monsoon entered Nepal three days late on June 13. DHM considers June 10 as the conventional date for arrival of monsoon in Nepal.
"This has been an El Nino year when monsoon turns dry. This climatic condition might stretch for over a year," said Pradhananga.
Related story
No sign of monsoon withdrawal
