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There is a partial influence of westerly and local winds in the country and has led to partly cloudy weather conditions in most parts of the country today.  

The weather is generally cloudy in the Himalayan region, partly cloudy in the hilly region and generally fair in the Tarai region.

The Weather Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology shared that light rain and snowfall is taking place in one or two places of the hilly and Himalayan regions of the Koshi Province.   

This afternoon, generally cloudy conditions are expected in the hills and Himalayan regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces. 

There is a possibility of light rain and snowfall at one or two places in the hills and Himalayan regions of Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces.

Later tonight, generally cloudy conditions are expected in the hills and Himalayan regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces, and partly cloudy in the Tarai area of the Koshi Province and the hilly regions of the other remaining provinces.

Matatirtha Aunsi or Mother’s Day is being celebrated in honour of mothers with devotion across the country today.

This festival is considered a day of devotion, respect, and recognition of mothers, who are revered as greater than priests and fathers in the religious scriptures, and a day to seek blessings from them.

It is customary for children to get up early this morning, take a bath, dress their mother in beautiful clothes, and feed her with sweets to seek her blessings and recognize her contributions and very important roles in the family and society.

Those who have already lost their mother remember them and the great and difficult deeds she accomplished by making offerings to her soul and offering food to the needy in her remembrance.

Ancient Vedic scriptures highlight the importance of mother and the motherland in the noble saying, ‘Janani Janmabhoomischa Swargadapi Gariyasi’, meaning that the mother who gives birth and the motherland are greater and more loving than heaven, said Theologist and a Member of the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee, Prof. Dr Devmani Bhattarai.

He said it is mentioned in the scriptures that the importance of a mother is a thousand times greater than that of a father. Because of such importance, the living mother is honoured and served with sweet delicacies and gifts while offerings are made in the name of the deceased mother with devotion.

On this occasion, a fair is held today at Mata Tirtha in Chandragiri Municipality in Kathmandu while many visit temples and gather at river confluences and banks to pray for eternal peace for their late mothers. 

Those with a living mother visit her with various gifts while seeking her blessings.

In view of the upcoming monsoon, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has unveiled a comprehensive emergency action plan to lessen the loss of lives and properties to be incurred from possible disaster. 

The Department has stated that it would operate 24-hour service by ensuring effectiveness of weather forecasting, flood forecasting and early warning system during the monsoon period. 

Acting Director General of the Department, Archana Shrestha said that the weather forecasting division and flood forecasting division would remain active during 24 hours. 

"Routine weather forecasting up to three days would be made public from 8 am to 6  pm every day while special bulletin would be published with early warning before 3-5 days in special situations", he said, adding that alert map with colour indication would be published to impart timely information about vulnerable weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and snowfall. 

Shrestha further informed that the on-time data received from automated hydrological and meteorological evaluation centers across the country would be published through the official website of the Department. 

Flood forecasting would be arranged three days in advance in the main rivers including Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali, Bagmati, babai and West Seti for minimizing flood-induced risks, it is stated. 

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City is to collaborate with Nepal Police for road and urban safety in Kathmandu. 

Acting Mayor of KMC Sunita Dangol and Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki held a meeting today for this purpose. 

On the occasion, discussion was held on the issue of collaborating to strengthen road and urban security and urban management, according to the KMC. 

Acting Mayor Dangol shared that the KMC is willing to collaborate with the Nepal Police for road safety and traffic management, protection and utilization of encroached land, management of unplanned settlement and urban management.  

Similarly, IGP Karki mentioned that he was ready to provide security support required for the KMC. 

"There will be coordination in KMC's activities through the Valley Police Office. We have assigned a focal person for this purpose," he said.