Indra Jatra ends, but rainfall to continue

Kathmandu, September 17

The Meteorological Forecasting Division has predicted rainfall with the weather remaining mostly cloudy throughout the country until Thursday. There are also chances of heavy rainfall at a few places in the country.

According to MFD, many places in the country are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall while heavy rains have also been forecast in some parts of the eastern region.

According to MFD, the axis of the monsoon trough has shifted from its normal position. The western part of the monsoon trough is around its normal position, but the eastern part of the monsoon trough has shifted to the northern side. Moisture loaded wind that entered Nepal from the Bay of Bengal has caused the rainfall. Clouds have been forming because of the rainfall and wind, according to Ganga Nagarkoti, a meteorologist.

“There will be light to mild rainfall in some of places. However, there will be moderate rainfall, along with thunder and lightning, in a few parts of the country. The weather improve gradually after Thursday,” she added.Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at many places of the central and western regions and at some places of the eastern region, MFD stated.Flood Forecasting Section under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, releasing a statement, said, “Water flow in all rivers will gradually increase. Water level in the Babai River is predicted to cross the warning level while the Rapti River is likely to see water flow close to the red mark,” the FFS said.

There are also chances of flash floods in small rivers and rivulets in Kathmandu Valley, Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk, Rasuwa, along with 32 districts of hilly and the Tarai regions, it warned.“Small rivers and rivulets in hilly areas are likely to be swollen due to moderate to heavy rains,” the FFS said.

The flow of water will be high in small, medium and big rivers running through Gandaki Province. Water flow in  these rivers will be around the warning level, the FFS said.

Water level will reach the warning level in Bagmati, Narayani, Rapti, Tinau, and Babai rivers.

There are also chances of landslides in Chitwan and Pokhara because of continuous rainfall, said Nagarkoti.The rainfall has also affected air transport. “As the monsoon clouds lie on the lower region it mainly affects the domestic flights. There are more clouds now. Even if planes take off, it will be difficult for them to reach their destinations as they need to pass through clouds, Nagarkoti said.“The rainfall also reduces visibility affecting both the domestic and international flights,” she added.  Monsoon usually enters Nepal on June 10 and withdraws on September 23.

This year the monsoon had entered the country after a delay of 10 days from the normal date. The monsoon is likely to by mid-October this year, according to MFD. “The monsoon had extended till October-19 in 2013,” said Manju Basi, a meteorologist.