KATHMANDU, June 10: The monsoon entered Nepal’s Koshi Province 15 days earlier than the average date, i.e., on Jestha 15 (May 29) this year. However, the monsoon has now retreated from Koshi Province and shifted toward East Asia. Meteorologists state that a strong low-pressure system formed over East Asia, drawing monsoon winds away from Nepal via Koshi.
Govinda Jha, a meteorologist at the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology Forecasting Division, said, “As the monsoon system was pulled toward East Asia — mainly towards the Philippines, it failed to spread further from Koshi. There is no sign of its expansion for the next few days.”
Just two days after its onset on May 31, heavy rainfall and floods hit eastern Nepal. A 100-meter section of the Dharan-Dhankuta road at Sagurigadhi Rural Municipality–6 in Phedi was swept away by the flooded Leuti River. In Jhapa, the flooding of the Mai River submerged at least 22 houses. No significant rainfall has been recorded since.
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Meanwhile, local and western winds remain active in western and central Nepal. Meteorologist Jha noted that the dominance of western winds is preventing the full onset of the monsoon.
Nepal typically receives monsoon winds carrying moisture from the Bay of Bengal. However, that system is currently weak, leading to rising temperatures across the country. According to experts, this kind of monsoon "break" is not a good sign, as it can cause extreme rainfall in some areas and droughts in others.
Cloudy weather expected from tomorrow
Jha said that cloudy conditions will begin in some regions of Nepal from tomorrow. A new low-pressure system has formed over the Bay of Bengal, he added.
Another low-pressure zone is also developing over central India, which is expected to affect Nepal and trigger rainfall.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has already forecasted a wetter and hotter-than-usual monsoon this year. Based on this, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has implemented its disaster response plan.
NDRRMA Spokesperson Ram Bahadur KC said preparations are being made under the assumption that around two million people could be affected, with 10 percent of them potentially requiring rescue and relief.
