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The monsoon season, characterized by cool and gloomy weather, has both advantages and disadvantages for individuals and nations. However, it is causing problems in Nepal due to a massive cluster of heavy rains this year.

The weather in comparison to 2023 has significantly changed due to the annual shift in rainfall patterns resulting from La Niña and El Niño. La Nina is a climate pattern occurring by the change in Pacific Ocean temperatures, affecting monsoon rainfall patterns from Indonesia to the west coast of South America while El Nino means the warming of the ocean surface, or above-average sea surface temperatures, in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The monsoon began on June 10 this year, and due to La Niña’s active transition, there is a high likelihood of heavy rainfall across South Asia. Nepal’s geography also increases the risk of floods and landslides.

According to meteorologist Ujjwal Upadhyay, “This year’s monsoon, likely to last till October, is expected to cause severe drought, agricultural issues, high fungal infections, and frequent illnesses among people, with potential consequences in the future.” This year’s rain pattern, with short duration and high quantity, rainy nights and sunny days can lead to high nighttime casualties and high humidity, affecting human health through issues like excessive sweating, dehydration, heat stroke, eye infections, and brain and kidney problems.

Meteorologist at Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal, Rajan Lamichhane, says, “We are issuing safety notices and bulletins to individuals of high-risk areas.” He also cautioned that August and September will experience heavier precipitation.

Upadhyay added, “This monsoon will also see a significant change, with 15-30 percent more rainfall in eastern Nepal, 10-15 percent more in Central Nepal, and 5-10 percent more in Western Nepal.” According to the increasing percentage from the average percent, each location will have to deal with casualties based on its geographical features.

The forecast can be analyzed only three days before the weather changes, but the changing pattern of this year was anticipated last year itself, according to experts. In 2023, the monsoon arrived in eastern Nepal on June 14, one day later than usual, and ended on Oct 15, a 13-day delay.

According to the data, the number of casualties and impacted families has decreased but remained high between 2023 and the most recent report. This shows an improvement in dealing with and mitigating the effects of monsoon-related calamities. The greatest significant reductions are evident in landslides and thunderstorms, whereas statistics on floods and heavy rainfall show a drop in intensity.

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Monsoon (2023)

Monsoon last week (July 26-Aug 1)

Monsoon (July 2024)

Source: Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal

China Foundation for Rural Development (CFRD) organized a program in Dharmasthali, Tarakeshwor Municipality on Thursday to mark the first anniversary of the Sustainable Development Experimental Village.

The event coincided with the 69th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China.

On the occasion, agricultural equipment and materials were distributed to the trained vegetable farmers and beneficiary schools of the Smiling Children Program.

Since the project was launched in 2023, the CFRD implemented a series of integrated projects such as community water supply, educational support, child nutrition, and vegetable skills vocational training with a total investment of more than USD 776,861, from which thousands of people have benefitted.

After the "Smiling Children Program" was launched in 2022, the Foundation has provided around 730,000 meals to 3,315 students of 16 community schools.

The Vegetable Farmer Training Project of the Foundation has successfully completed off-season vegetable production training services and 70 trained farmers passed the skill test conducted by the Nepal government.

These achievements are the results of hard work and proof of the friendship between Nepal and China.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song, Tarakeshwor Municipality Mayor Krishna Hari Maharjan and Country Director of CFRD Nepal Office Zou Zhiqiang among others were present in the program.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Chen thanked all CFRD staff, leaders and employees of Tarakeshwar Municipality.

He said that the Sustainable Development Experimental Village saw remarkable success in vegetable cultivation and children's education due to the hard work and selfless dedication of the CFRD staff, leaders and employees of Tarkeshwor Municipality.

Two Indian nationals were held with a pistol at Maheshbari in Sakhuwanankarkatti Rural Municipality-5 of Siraha district.

Chief of the District Police Office, Siraha, Ramesh Pandit, said that Niraj Kumar Paswan (18) and Arun Shah (37) of Maduwani district of Bihar State of India were arrested during a security check on Thursday evening.

Pandit said they were heading to Lahan from Thadi in a public vehicle.

Yashaswi Pragya Pratisthan has made public the names of the shortlisted books of Yashaswi Book Award 2081 for the three categories; fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

The shortlisted books for the award are prepared by the selection committee of the Pratisthan where the books were published in 2080 B.S. were called for the award entry.

Out of the shortlisted books below, three jury members for each category shall judge the books further and the winning book for each category shall be declared later and felicitated with certificate and cash prize of Rs. 20,000 each.

The winning book author shall be awarded on the occasion of the third edition of Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival, on September 7 and 8, at Himalaya Hotel.

As per the pratisthan, the shortlist for the remaining two categories, English and Research shall be announced in a few days. The shortlist for the fiction, non-fiction and poetry are as follows:

1. Fiction: Antar by Ramesh Sayan, Bhrikuti by Govinda Prasad Kusum, Pipala by Bimal Nepal, Charaiwati by Jiwan Jiwanta, Amrikane Kashi by Sarala Gautam, Laar by Muna Chaudhary, Khokpa by D.R., Bora by Akhanda Bhandari and Ishwarko Anuhar by Divya Giri.

2. Non-fiction: Galli Sansar by Roshan Sherchan, Jogiyana by Kumar Nagarkoti, Nuntel by Jiwan Kshetri, Bhuktaman by Dhirendra Sinal, Bakapatra by Narendra Jung Peter, Sanskriti Chintan by Arun Gupto, Mukam Ranamaidain by Mohan Mainali, Samwedanako Samayog by Gyanu Adhikari and Prashna haruta baaki nai rahanchann by Momila.

3. Poetry: Lahana ra Pir by Avaya Shrestha, Baagi streeko Aatmakatha by Sumina, Ashwathamako Nidharbata Bagmati Bagchha by Devbrat, Pahirobhitrako Gham by Sushila Khadka Hasina and Mahakash by Muna Dhital Aryal