KATHMANDU, Oct 4: This year’s monsoon has already withdrawn from western Nepal, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. But the withdrawal of the monsoon does not necessarily mean an immediate end to rainfall.
Meteorologist Binod Pokharel said weak westerly winds are likely to bring cloudy conditions and rain to many parts of Nepal over the coming week.
According to Pokharel, rainfall will generally be light to moderate. Rain is unlikely to occur across the country simultaneously or at every location each day. In many places, showers are more likely to begin in the afternoon and continue into the evening.
From tomorrow through Wednesday, rainfall could be relatively persistent across many hilly areas, including Kathmandu. Although there are no indications of widespread heavy rain, brief spells of heavy rainfall remain possible in some places.
Pokharel said the forecast is particularly relevant for farmers preparing to harvest paddy and people planning hiking or trekking trips in the hills and mountains. He also advised people heading outdoors for daily activities to check local rainfall forecasts and prepare accordingly.
WEATHER ALERT: Monsoon to become active again, rain forecast fo...
Why rain after the monsoon?
Pokharel said the continuing rain despite the monsoon withdrawal could cause confusion.
The arrival or withdrawal of the monsoon is not determined simply by whether it is raining, he explained. It is primarily determined by seasonal changes in wind direction and atmospheric circulation. The amount of moisture present in the atmosphere also plays an important role in producing rainfall.
Pokharel stressed that Nepal does not require an active monsoon system to receive rain.
Rainfall that began in recent days is expected to continue until the day before Ghatasthapana, mainly due to the influence of westerly winds.
Rain was recorded in different parts of the country yesterday, while some areas, including Jhapa, were receiving rainfall at the time of his update.
Pokhara records 32.6 mm rainfall in six hours
Malepatan in Pokhara recorded 32.6 millimetres of rainfall over the past six hours, the highest recorded anywhere in the country during that period, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.
The department classified the rainfall as moderate.
As of 10:45 pm on October 3 (Asoj 17), light rainfall was occurring at a few locations in Bagmati and Koshi provinces and at one or two locations in Gandaki Province.
The department said Malepatan’s 32.6 millimetres was the highest six-hour rainfall recorded nationwide during the period.
