Kathmandu, July 28:

The amount of rainfall has gone down this season, says the Meteorological Forecasting Division. During this time last year, rains had wreaked havoc in different parts of the country. With the decline in rainfall this year, meteorologists say monsoon havoc will be less disastrous.

According to the MFD, the average amount of rainfall exceeded the normal level in most parts of the country last July. However, this time, the amount of rainfall has been below the average.

In different parts of the country excluding Dipayal, Kathmandu and Biratnagar, the amount of precipitation was above average last July. Nepalgunj recorded 200 per cent increase in rainfall against the average, said Rajendra Prasad Shrestha, senior divisional meteorologist at the MFD.

“This year, however, rainfall in central and eastern regions has been below average. Only a few districts in western Nepal witnessed average rainfall,” Shrestha added.

On an average, Kathmandu used to receive 356 mm of rainfall in June. However, with the month of July about to end, Kathmandu has received just 217 mm of rainfall.

“Rainfall has become scanty. Active monsoon has shifted to central India. It will return to Nepal in a few days,” Shrestha said.

According to Shrestha, the prevailing pattern hinted similar pattern of rainfall in coming days. He said that floods this season would not be as disastrous as they were last year.

“Still, we have two monsoon months ahead of us. It is very difficult to make exact predictions,” he added.

Disasters triggered by rain have claimed more than 73 lives, injured 17 people and affected 24,500 people so far this season, according to the Natural Disaster Management Section at the Home Ministry.