Environment

Cloudy skies, rain and windstorms likely across country on Thursday

By THT Online

A hailstorm lashes Kathmandu on Wednesday evening, darkening the valley and surrounding areas as early as 5 pm. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology had issued a cautionary alert to the public a day in advance. Photo: Hariram Bhetuwal/RSS

KATHMANDU, APRIL 30 Most parts of the country are expected to witness cloudy conditions with rainfall and thunderstorms on Thursday, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division. Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces will remain mostly cloudy, while Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces are likely to see generally cloudy conditions. Moderate rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning is expected at some places in the hilly and Himalayan regions, including Koshi Province, and at a few locations in the Terai. Windstorms are also likely at some places in the southern plains. Tonight, the hilly and Himalayan regions are forecast to remain generally cloudy, while the Terai will be partly cloudy. Light to moderate rainfall with thunder and lightning is likely at several places in Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces, and at a few places in Madhesh and other regions. Isolated rainfall is also expected elsewhere in the Terai, along with chances of windstorms. The country is currently under the influence of westerly and local winds, coupled with a low-pressure system in the lower atmosphere near the eastern region. According to the forecast, Kathmandu Valley is likely to witness moderate rain with thundershowers during the day with temperatures ranging between 21°C and 23°C, while light rain is expected at night. Similarly, Pokhara, Okhaldhunga, Jiri and Taplejung are also likely to receive moderate rainfall, while most Terai districts, including Biratnagar, Janakpur and Bhairahawa, may witness light rain with thunderstorms.