Brief spells of scattered rain are expected at a few places in central and eastern regions in the first week of October as the monsoon starts retreating, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division.

The three-month long monsoon that was delayed by about a week in June has started withdrawing from the country. But brief to moderate rains occurred in one or two places, said Barun Poudel, a meteorologist at the MFD.

“The local disturbance triggering brief and scattered rains is expected across the country, particularly in the central and eastern hilly districts for at least the next two days,” Poudel added.

There are chances of rain in mid-hill districts, increasing the risk of landslides on highways at a time when hundreds of thousands of people are leaving Kathmandu for the festivals.

Normally, monsoon enters the country on June 10 and starts withdrawing from September 23. This year the weather phenomenon was recorded in Nepal on June 15. Last year, monsoon entered

on June 13 and had retreated by October 3.

“We are experiencing delayed monsoon onset and withdrawal in the past few years,” Poudel said.

Jiri recorded the highest rainfall measuring at 25.8 millimetres on Saturday, followed by Kathmandu, Taplejung, Lumle and Dharan measuring at 21.7, 12.9, 11 and 10.1mm respectively.