Kathmandu, September 22
Home Minister Sudan Gurung and Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha visited the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology to inquire about the rain and snowfall forecast from September 25 onward.
They went to the department’s office in Baburmahal and met Director General Archana Shrestha, spokesperson Bibhuti Pokharel and others, and discussed the possible risks and necessary preparations.
During the discussion, the department’s meteorologists said that due to the effect of a low-pressure system developing over the Bay of Bengal, heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast in various parts of Nepal, along with heavy snowfall in the high Himalayan region.
The rain-bearing system is likely to spread across the whole country. Heavy to very heavy rainfall in the hills and Tarai, and snowfall in the high Himalayan region, may also bring risk.
Department spokesperson Pokharel said that based on the current outlook, the highest rainfall is likely in Lumbini and Gandaki provinces. She said the rain carries the risk of flooding, riverbank erosion and landslides, so people have been advised to exercise high caution in identified risk areas and to avoid travel toward the Himalayan region.
She also said the department is continuously exchanging updated information with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and officials of the concerned ministries.
“We are in regular contact with the Disaster Authority; necessary preparations are also under way at the concerned agencies,” spokesperson Pokharel said.
Advised not to travel long distances or at night
According to the department’s Weather Forecasting Division, the low-pressure area that developed over the North Andaman Sea and surrounding areas has now reached the middle of the Bay of Bengal and has intensified further into a “deep depression.”
As this system is moving in a west-northwest direction, rainfall activity will increase from Wednesday in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces as a result.
According to the division, from September 25 to 27, some places in Gandaki and Lumbini provinces will see heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunder, lightning and windstorms, with the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall in one or two places.
Similarly, a few places in Madhesh, Koshi, Bagmati and Sudurpashchim provinces may see heavy to very heavy rainfall, and a few places in Karnali province may see heavy rainfall.
Following the special bulletin the Meteorological Department issued on Monday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority also issued a notice urging all stakeholders and the general public to exercise high caution.
The Authority has urged people not to travel long distances or at night during this period unless necessary. It has also asked the concerned federal ministries, provincial governments, local levels, all three security agencies and volunteers, among others, to keep the public informed and remain ready to respond. It has directed that equipment such as dozers, excavators and loaders be kept ready along at-risk highways and roads.
