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As the monsoon remains active nationwide, there is a possibility of rainfall across the country this afternoon due to the impacts of the monsoon winds. According to the Weather Forecast Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, most parts of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces and some parts of the remaining provinces are expected to receive light to moderate rain today. Likewise, there is the possibility of heavy rain along with thunderstorms in some parts of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces. Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely at some places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces and few places of remaining provinces tonight, according to the Department. The Department has also cautioned one and all to apply precautions from the losses that could happen from the occurrence of heavy rain, lightning, storms, landslides and soil erosion.

The 20th National Paddy Day is being marked today across the country. The government in 2061 BS had decided to mark Ashad 15 of the Nepali calendar every year as National Paddy Day and Paddy Cultivation Festival. Rice plantation, eating delicacies like curd and beaten rice and participating in the traditional cultural programs like singing, throwing mud at each other and merriment are the major attractions of the day. Paddy is the major crop not only in Nepal but in entire South Asia. The government aims to attain self-sufficiency in rice production by conserving the land for paddy cultivation, promoting clean and healthy seeds, expanding irrigation facilities, and developing hybrid and disease-resistant varieties. Paddy is cultivated on 47 per cent of the total cultivable land in Nepal. Likewise, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has extended best wishes to all on this day stating that the government has been implementing different programs including expansion of irrigation supply, grants on chemical fertilizer and seeds, expansion of modern technology, research and development, among others to increase the production of paddy. The PM has also cautioned that the target of paddy production could be affected due to impacts of climate change--drought, heavy rain, scanty rain, natural disasters and spread of diseases--and pose challenges to our food security. Against this backdrop, the PM has underscored the need for development of climate-resilient species of paddy and development of new technology for the increment of paddy production to substitute import of rice and paddy in the country and remain self-reliant.  

The Chitwan National Park (CNP) has banned commercial jungle drive (safari) inside the park from July 1 until further notice. The park banned the jungle drive, in view of forest tracks inside the park might be damaged, small streams inside the jungle might be flooded, roads might be obstructed due to fallen trees and there might be human casualty during the monsoon, the rainy season. A notice issued by the CNP Administration mentioned that operation of other tourism activities including boating has also been restricted. Information Officer of CNP, Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, said 65 jeeps have taken permission from CNP to operate jungle drive in the park. A total of 32 jeeps have taken permission to conduct jungle drive in the park from Sauraha, 15 from Kasara, nine from Meghauli, two from Ujauli, five from Amaltari and one from Madi, he said. With the beginning of monsoon, tourism activities conducted inside the park and in the river have been stopped. Tiwari said that the buffer zone management committee would decide about the activities to be carried out towards the buffer zone community forest.

Rainfall along with wind and storm is likely to take place in some parts of the country due to the influence of monsoon wind. According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, light to medium rainfall is taking place in some areas of Karnali, Gandaki, Bagmati and Koshi provinces with partial to general changes across the country. There will be general changes across the country this afternoon. Light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning is likely to occur in a few places of Sudurpaschim, Karnali, Lumbini, Gandaki and Bagmati provinces. The Division informed that heavy rainfall is predicted in some areas of Karnali, Lumbini and Gandaki provinces. Storm is likely to take place in several areas of Lumbini, Gandaki and Bagmati provinces and in some areas of remaining provinces, stated a bulletin published by the Division. There will be general changes across the country tonight. According to the Division, light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning is likely to take place in some areas of Lumbini, Gandaki, Madhes and Koshi province. Noting that surface and air travel, health, agriculture and tourism sectors will possibly be affected due to heavy rainfall with thunderstorms, the Division has urged one and all to adopt necessary safety precautions.