KATHMANDU, JUNE 30
Umbrellas, raincoats and caution, residents across five provinces are being urged to prepare for heavy downpours over the next three days.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall across five provinces over the next three days, as the monsoon shifts into high gear and threatens to unleash thunderstorms, flash floods, and strong winds across much of Nepal.
Isolated heavy to very heavy downpours are expected today in parts of Koshi Province, with similar intensity likely at one or two locations in Gandaki, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim. The hills of Madhesh, Bagmati and Karnali are also in the firing line.
Authorities have placed Sudurpaschim and parts of Gandaki and Lumbini on a "be prepared" alert for Tuesday, while most other regions remain on "be updated" status.
The warning is expected to ease somewhat by Wednesday, but Thursday could still bring isolated heavy rain to the hills, and strong winds to the Terai.
Kathmandu faces a 60 percent chance of rain today, with daytime temperatures hovering between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius. Pokhara and Bhairahawa share similar odds, while Dipayal, Dhangadi, Nepalgunj and Birendranagar could see temperatures climb to 34 degrees alongside a 40 percent rain chance.
Across the hills and Himalayas, moderate to heavy rain will be accompanied by thunder and lightning, with moderate snowfall also possible at higher altitudes. The department has flagged the highest overnight rain risk for Taplejung and Jiri, both at 60 percent.
As of 9:35 am, moderate rainfall with thunder and lightning was already drenching parts of Sudurpaschim and Lumbini. Officials have urged residents to exercise caution and stay tuned to updated forecasts.
With the monsoon now turning widespread and covering 70 to 100 percent of the hilly and Himalayan regions of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini, the message from the department is clear: the rain is here, and it's not letting up anytime soon.