Monsoon finally enters Nepal

Kathmandu, June 15

The Meteorological Forecasting Division today officially announced the arrival of monsoon in Nepal, five days later than the normal onset date.

“Monsoon trough has entered the country from the east. Information received so far from the weather maps and satellite images show that conditions are favourable for progressive westward advancement of monsoon in remaining parts of the country over the next few days through the central region,” read a Monsoon Watch published by the MFD.

Last year too, the monsoon was delayed by three days. Earlier, the MFD had forecast that monsoon would arrive in Nepal nearly a week later than the normal date as the crucial weather system did not properly build up in the Bay of Bengal on time.

According to the MFD, Nepal is most likely to receive normal rainfall during this year’s monsoon. If it is to be analysed on a region-wise basis, some Tarai areas in the central and far-western regions will receive above-normal rainfall while hilly areas are likely to experience below-normal rainfall.

Normal rainfall is likely over the remaining parts of the country.

Nepal receives an average of 80 per cent of annual rainfall during the monsoon, which originates in the Bay of Bengal and moves along the southern flanks of the Himalayas, bringing rains to Nepal.

The average annual rainfall in Nepal is 1,600 mm, but it varies from place to place depending on the climatic conditions.

All 20 meteorological stations recorded rainfall, with heavy showers in some places today.

Simara recorded 40 mm rain followed by 37.5 mm in Pokhara, 34.5 mm in Taplejung, 30.5 mm in Lumle, 28.7 mm in Okhaldhunga, 25.7 mm in Dipayal, 22.8 mm in Bhairahawa, 20 mm in Jiri and 18.6 mm in Kathmandu in 24 hours ending at 5.45 pm.

Authorities directed to stay alert

Kathmandu, June 15

With the onset of monsoon in the country, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Government has directed all the district development offices and municipalities to focus on preparedness measures and stay on high alert to cope with possible disasters during the rainy season.

Though the tentative onset date for monsoon is June 10, monsoon entered Nepal five days later than the normal date today.

As per the directives issued by the MoFALD, the concerned district development committees and municipalities will be required to conduct monsoon preparedness publicity campaign via community FMs and other media, while staying on high alert to prevent any possible disaster in coordination with district disaster relief committees.

Similarly, they have been asked to make prior arrangements of volunteers and mobilise them in case of need. “The ministry has also directed the local bodies to manage logistics by forecasting disasters as may be required and identify the places of temporary collective housing to ensure shelter for homeless and people reeling under the threat of disaster during the monsoon,” said an official at the MoFALD.

Fifteen months on, the country is still grappling with the impact of the earthquakes that killed nearly 9,000 people and flattened nearly 600,000 homes, rendering millions in desperate need of shelter.

As the the government delays distribution of housing reconstruction grants to the quake survivors, they are likely to face the brunt of second monsoon after the earthquakes. Many of the survivors are still taking refuge in makeshift homes of tarpaulins and corrugated zinc sheets.

The government has distributed the first tranche of grant worth Rs 50,000 to only 0.42 per cent of beneficiaries as of Sunday.

Immediately after the earthquake, it had decided to allocate aid worth Rs 200,000 each to the beneficiaries for reconstruction of houses but took more than 11 months to start distributing the grants.