The country is bracing for yet another strong and potentially adverse spell of monsoon with the strong chances of widespread rainfall, inducing extreme weather events in different parts of the country.

As per the latest weather prediction of the Meteorological Forecasting Division, a majority of the country will receive rainfall with thunderstorms for the next few days starting from the eastern part of the country and moving westwards.

According to Raju Pradhanang, a senior meteorologist at the division, the monsoon is likely to be active until Friday with the possibility of monsoon-induced disasters like floods in the southern plains and landslides in the hill areas.

“For the next four-five days, the weather is likely to be bad. Authorities and the public are advised to remain alert against the possibility of water-induced disasters,” Pradhanang told the Post. “The rainfall is likely to take place across the country.”

The special weather bulletin of the division, issued on Sunday evening, said the latest wet spell which is to begin from Monday would continue until at least Friday.

The weather will turn inclement from Monday and Tuesday in Province 1, 2 and Bagmati, including Kathmandu Valley which received rainfall on Monday afternoon. On Wednesday onwards, the rainy weather pattern will start advancing in Sudurpaschim, Gandaki, Karnali provinces, according to Pradhanang,.

“Such a weather condition can cause damage to life, properties and disconnect road networks in the coming days. It can also disturb flights,” said Pradhanang. “The current weather phenomenon is caused due to the northwest movement of the low-pressure area, which is formed in the Bay of Bengal. Its effect is already felt in eastern Nepal, and it will soon cover the central and western parts of the country as well.”

While the intensity of rainfall will be mostly light to moderate in most parts of the country, there are chances of heavy rainfall in some places, which could possibly trigger foods and landslides.

Meanwhile, the weather office has also predicted storm events in several places.

With the unfavourable weather condition on the forecast, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has issued an advisory for preparation against the looming extreme events.

“Security forces and government and non-government agencies involved in disaster management in all the districts have been placed on high alert against the possible disasters like landslides, erosion and floods,” the authority said in its advisory. “All the equipment required for search, rescue and relief should be kept on standby.”

The ongoing monsoon has already been one of the deadliest one in at least a decade. Since the onset of the monsoon, 340 people were killed, 99 went missing, and 298 got injured in water-induced disaster events as of Monday, according to the authority. 

This monsoon has seen frequent and massive landslides in hill districts, claiming 270 lives, followed by floods (36) and lightning (34).

The monsoon this year had entered the country two days late on July 12 and was predicted to be normal. The monsoon season in Nepal normally begins on June 10 and ends on September 23 every year.

“This year we have received more than normal rainfall, which led to more natural disasters,” said Pradhanang. “This could be the last lap of the monsoon rainfall but we cannot be certain. We have to wait.”