Rains and snowfalls have affected normal life in various parts of the country.

High altitude mountain districts witnessed heavy snowfalls while the hills and Tarai saw rainfalls on Sunday and Monday. Meteorological Forecasting Division (MFD) said temperatures dropped across the country because of the rains and snowfalls.

The rainfalls have been attributed to the westerly winds entering the country from the Farwest region since Sunday. The MFD said the westerly is gradually moving towards the east.   

Kathmandu denizens flocked to the surrounding hills including Chandragiri, Phulchoki, Shivapuri, Daman and Nagarkot following the snowfall on Monday.

Meteorologist Shanti Kandel at the MFD said the weather would gradually improve from Tuesday and would completely clear up from Wednesday. According to her, it snowed in various mountain districts including Darchula, Bajhang, Doti, Mugu, Jumla, Humla, Dolpa, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Mustang, Manang and Gorkha.

However, despite the freezing condition, farmers are happy with the rains and snowfalls as they hope to have a good harvest of winter crops.  

“The rains and snowfalls, though late this year, will certainly help the harvest of various winter crops like wheat, mustard plant, pea, gram, potatoes and other vegetables in the region. The production of winter crops and vegetables could increase this year if the farmers protect their crops from wild animals,” said Tek Bahadur Bista, a senior agriculture technician.

Similarly, normal life has been greatly affected in various mountain districts of the Karnali Province due to the heavy snowfalls and rains. Various settlements in Mugu, Humla, Dolpa, Kalikot, Salyan, among other districts, witnessed snowfall on Sunday and Monday. Residents of high a atitude settlements in the Province have been compelled to stay indoors due to the snow.

However, locals in Humla said the snowfall was brief and it was not enough for the crops. Simkot, the district headquarters of Humla, was blanketed with just half an inch of snow.