Heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast for three provinces as active monsoon persists

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of the country over the next three days as active monsoon conditions continue across the country.

According to the DHM, monsoon winds remain active nationwide, while the monsoon trough is positioned slightly north of its average location, close to Nepal's southern plains. Cloudy weather has prevailed across the country since Monday morning, with light rainfall already recorded in many parts of Bagmati and Gandaki provinces, as well as scattered areas of Koshi, Madhesh, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpashchim.

The department has warned that isolated areas of Karnali and Lumbini provinces are likely to receive very heavy rainfall, while heavy rain is also expected in parts of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces through Wednesday.

For Monday, the DHM has forecast generally cloudy conditions nationwide, with moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms across many hill districts and parts of the Terai. Heavy rainfall is expected at isolated locations in the hills and parts of Lumbini's southern plains, while very heavy rainfall is likely in parts of the Karnali hills and Lumbini Province.

During the night, widespread rain and thunderstorms are expected to continue across Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, with scattered showers in Karnali and Sudurpashchim. Heavy to very heavy rainfall remains possible in isolated areas of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki.

The wet weather pattern is expected to persist through Tuesday and Wednesday, with moderate to heavy rainfall forecast across much of the country and localised intense downpours in the central and western regions.

Recent rainfall measurements indicate the intensity of the ongoing monsoon. Over the past 24 hours, Taratal in Bardiya recorded 133.4 mm of rainfall, followed by Katarnia Dhakel in Bardiya with 90.6 mm, Kalikhola in Chitwan with 78.6 mm, Lamapatan in Kaski with 68.4 mm and Tauthali in Bhaktapur with 67.2 mm. In the past hour alone, Kalikhola received 33.2 mm of rainfall, while significant showers were also recorded in Sarlahi, Nawalpur, Kavre and Dhanusha.

The continued downpours could trigger flash floods, landslides, riverbank erosion and soil degradation, posing risks to settlements and infrastructure in vulnerable areas. Authorities have also cautioned that adverse weather may disrupt road and air transportation, agriculture, tourism, mountaineering activities and other essential services.

The DHM has urged residents, particularly those living in flood- and landslide-prone areas, to remain alert, follow official weather updates and take necessary precautions as monsoon activity is expected to remain active throughout the week.