Nepal began experiencing the effects of cyclone ‘Arnab’ on Thursday, with cloudy skies throughout the country and light rain or snowfall in parts of the Himalayan region on Thursday. The hilly and Tarai regions of Koshi province and parts of Madhesh province saw light rainfall.

Maximum temperatures have dropped across the country. People have started wearing jackets and other warm clothing and the weather got colder. 

The cyclone, which originated in the Bay of Bengal, caused deaths and widespread damage in eastern India. It battered Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, killing at least five people. It also damaged homes and farmland and triggered floods, according to media reports. Strong winds and heavy rain caused huge losses to paddy crops near harvest and inundated low-lying areas. Uprooted trees and electric poles disrupted transportation in many areas in India.

Officials in Nepal, however, said the weather system has now weakened and is unlikely to cause major damage in the country. 

“Light to moderate rainfall is expected from Thursday night,” said Bibhuti Pokharel, a senior divisional meteorologist at the Meteorological Forecasting Division. “There is no need to panic, as light to moderate rain is unlikely to have a significant impact. Rainfall is expected across the country until Saturday, and some areas may receive heavy rainfall, but there is no need for worry.”

Officials say light rainfall will occur in Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati provinces on Thursday night, and widespread rainfall is expected on Friday. 

Meteorologists say that even if the cyclone weakens into a depression, a low-pressure area would develop and bring rain across Nepal on Friday and Saturday. 

“Moderate rainfall could damage harvest-ready paddy and also impact commuters,” said Madan Sigdel, associate professor at the Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology under Tribhuvan University. “Friday’s [Nepal Premier League] cricket match could be affected by the rain. Tourists and trekkers heading to high-altitude areas could also be affected by snowfall, which could be heavy.”

Experts say the rainfall is likely to lower temperatures further, bringing a sudden spell of cold across the country. 

The forecasting division predicts moderate rain or snowfall accompanied by thunder and lightning is likely at a few places in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, and at a few places in Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, on Thursday night. 

Heavy rain or snowfall is likely at a few places in the Himalayan and hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces. Heavy rainfall is also likely at one or two places in the Tarai and hilly regions of Madhesh and Lumbini provinces, as well as in the hilly region of Gandaki Province.

On Friday, moderate rain or snowfall accompanied by thunder and lightning is likely at most places in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, and at many places in Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces. Heavy rain or snowfall is likely at a few places in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, and at one or two places in the Himalayan and hilly regions of Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces.

On Friday night, most parts of the country are likely to receive moderate rain or snowfall accompanied by thunder and lightning. Some areas could see heavy precipitation, with heavy rain or snowfall possible in parts of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces.

On Saturday, moderate rain or snowfall accompanied by thunder and lightning is likely at many places in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, and at a few places in Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces.

Heavy rain or snowfall is likely in a few places in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces and in one or two places in the Himalayan and hilly regions of Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces. Very heavy rain or snowfall is also possible in one or two places in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces.

The weather is expected to improve from Sunday onwards.