A sudden change in local weather system brought winter rains and snowfall in many places in western and central regions of the country on Friday. 

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division (MFD), this change in weather system was influenced by western disturbance and was likely to improve from Saturday evening.

Sudden rain and snowfall threw life out of gear in higher reaches of western and central regions. The 2015 earthquake survivors living in the northern part of Gorkha were affected the most

 Many families there are still living in temporary huts with little or no defence against cold, rain or snow, said Bed Prasad Dhakal, secretary of Samagaun VDC.

Snow up to 5 inches covered Samagaun, making life miserable for the earthquake-displaced families. Chekampar and Barpak, the epicentre of the Gorkha Earthquake, were also greatly affected. 

Heavy snowfall was reported in high mountainous areas of Nuwakot. The district’s lower region witnessed rainfall and drop in temperature, affecting the elderlies and children living in temporary shelters after the earthquake.

Continuous rains accompanied by snowfall battered Karnali and high altitude areas in the midwest. Inclement weather also affected daily flights from Nepalgunj Airport.

On Friday, Birendranagar received the highest rainfall measuring 27.8 millimetres, followed by Jumla, Dang and Bhairahawa, measuring at 20, 16.9, and 14.8 millimetres respectively. Kathmandu recorded rainfall measuring 5 millimetres. 

Sujan Subedi, a meteorologist at the MFD, said as the winter was gradually retreating, the rainfall in different parts of the country on Friday could be this year’s last.