Kathmandu, December 2

Winter rain is likely to affect the second phase of provincial and parliamentary elections being held on December 7.

According to Meteorological Forecasting Division, a westerly wind system about to enter Nepal from the evening of December 4 will bring rain and the mercury will dip across the country.

Meteorologist Min Kumar Aryal said the system is currently active in areas as far as Jammu and Kashmir. It will enter Nepal on the evening of December 4 on Monday causing rainfall.

“Though official weather forecast for the second phase election is not out yet, we have predicted rain from the same day or night the weather system enters Nepal — on December 4 — or the day after,” Aryal told The Himalayan Times. “If the system is strong rainfall will occur in the next few days, including on December 7, the election day.”He added, whether or not rains continue, the system will definitely trigger freezing cold across the country.

For more than a month, Kathmandu Valley has not witnessed even a single drop of rain. In November, most parts of the country did not receive rain and very little rainfall was recorded in a few places. The normal rainfall in Kathmandu in November is 8.3 mm, but there was no rainfall this November.

According to meteorological data, this year, temperature in Kathmandu Valley has fallen faster than in the previous year. Today, the minimum temperature of Kathmandu was 5.6 degrees Celsius whereas the same day’s minimum temperature last year was 8 degrees. Similarly, maximum temperature today was 20 degrees whereas last year, the maximum temperature on December 2 was 21.5 degrees. Temperatures have been lower this year. Aryal denied the lower temperature this year was due to any major reason, but  said it might be the flow of westerly wind above the Nepali sky.

He cautioned residents of hilly and mountainous areas as the incoming weather system would trigger freezing cold across the country, including Kathmandu Valley. He also suggested that voters wear protective winter and rain gear if unfavourable weather persists on election day.

Generally, October and November in Nepal are considered post-monsoon season. Winter starts in Nepal from December when days get shorter and minimum temperature hits around one to zero degree Celsius.