Monsoon arrives 15 days ahead of schedule

KATHMANDU: Monsoon has entered Nepal 15 days earlier than the average date.

Issuing a statement on Friday, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology announced that this year’s monsoon entered from the east of Nepal on Thursday night.

It has already spread across most parts of Koshi Province, according to the statement. “Light to moderate monsoon rainfall was recorded at most weather stations in Koshi Province due to the monsoon’s influence,” it said.

Kamal Ram Joshi, the director general of the department, said that while the average monsoon onset date in Nepal is June 13, the monsoon arrived on May 29 this year. “It appears that it will take some time for the monsoon to spread to other parts of Nepal. Currently, the rest of the country remains under the influence of westerly and local winds,” he added.

The department has projected above-average rainfall for the upcoming monsoon season. According to the department’s monsoon forecast, most parts of the country are likely to experience above-average rainfall during the four-month monsoon season from June 1 to September 28.

“There is a high likelihood of above-average rainfall in most parts of the country this season. There is a 55% to 65% chance of above-average rainfall in the eastern parts of Karnali Province, northern parts of Lumbini Province and most parts of Gandaki Province,” Joshi said. “There is a 45% to 55% chance of above-average rainfall in the southern parts of Sudurpaschim Province, western parts of Lumbini Province, northeastern parts of Gandaki Province, and northern parts of Bagmati and Koshi Provinces.”

According to Joshi, there is a 35% to 45% chance of average rainfall in the eastern and southern parts of Madhesh Province, while the remaining parts of the country have a 35% to 45% chance of above-average rainfall.