A low-pressure system developing over the Bay of Bengal is bringing rain to much of Nepal, with heavy to very heavy downpours forecast in parts of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali provinces on Friday, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.

One or two places in Lumbini and Gandaki could receive extremely heavy rain, the department said. Heavy rain is also possible at one or two places in Madhesh, while thunderstorms and strong winds may affect parts of Madhesh, Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces.

The weather system had moved over the Indian state of Chhattisgarh and its effects were gradually spreading across Nepal, meteorologist Rojan Lamichhane said.

“It will gradually move towards Nepal over the next two days, with its effects becoming more pronounced in Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim,” Lamichhane said. “Most of the rain will fall from Bagmati westwards. Over the next two days, rainfall will gradually ease in eastern Nepal, Madhesh and Bagmati.”

With the system also expected to affect Karnali and Sudurpaschim, Lamichhane urged people in those areas to suspend activities such as rice harvesting for the next few days.

The department said heavy rain was recorded at many locations in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces over the past 24 hours, with very heavy rain in some areas.

The Archale rainfall station in Palpa recorded more than 187 mm of rain. Some locations in Lumbini, Gandaki and Bagmati received up to 100 mm.

Moderate to heavy snowfall was also reported in mountainous districts.

12 districts at high flood risk

The Flood Forecasting Division warned that several small rivers could see moderate to high flood risks.

The 12 districts identified as being at high risk are Gorkha, Lamjung, Kaski, Manang, Mustang, Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Surkhet, Dailekh, Kailali and Kanchanpur.

River levels in small rivers flowing through these and surrounding districts are expected to rise significantly, with a high possibility of flash floods, the division said.

It also placed a large number of other districts across the country at medium flood risk, including districts in eastern Nepal, the central hills and Tarai, western Nepal and the far west.

System weakening over India

India’s Meteorological Department said a deep depression over southern Odisha and adjoining southern Chhattisgarh had moved north-northwest at a speed of 15 kilometres per hour over the previous six hours.

At 8:30am Friday, the system was centred over southern Chhattisgarh and adjoining southern interior Odisha.

The system was located near Nuapada in Odisha, about 80 kilometres east-southeast of Raipur in Chhattisgarh, 130 kilometres south-southwest of Champa and 140 kilometres south of Bilaspur, the Indian weather agency said.

It is expected to move north-northwest and remain at depression strength for the next 12 hours. Over the following 12 hours, it is likely to weaken and become a well-marked low-pressure area, the department said.