Nepal has recorded its heaviest pre-monsoon rainfall in 45 years of recorded data, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.

The country received 339.7 millimetres of rainfall during the pre-monsoon period this year, 145.5 percent of the seasonal average of 226.3 millimetres. The department said this marks the highest level since systematic records began in 1981, based on data from 126 rainfall measuring stations.

The pre-monsoon period runs from March 1 to May 31.

The previous highest pre-monsoon rainfall was recorded in 1990 at 331.40 millimetres. Other high-record years include 2000 with 323.19 millimetres, 2021 with 317.88 millimetres, and 2020 with 315.78 millimetres, the department said.

Meanwhile, in the past 24 hours, the highest rainfall was recorded in Anarmani Birta of Jhapa district, where 208 millimetres of rain was measured, classified as extremely heavy rainfall.

According to department spokesperson Dinkar Kayastha, rainfall above 200 millimetres is categorised as extremely heavy. Jhapa has been experiencing rainfall over the past several days.