Snowfall likely in mountainous region

There is a possibility of moderate snowfall in some high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces today, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. 

According to the Department, one or two places in the high hilly and mountainous region of Koshi and Bagmati Provinces are likely to receive heavy snowfall today.

According to the Department, the weather is likely to be affected in Bagmati, Madhesh and Koshi Provinces from Thursday to Saturday due to a cyclone called 'Montha' developed in the Bay of Bengal. The cyclone is in the stage of entering into Andhra Pradesh of India and would arrive in Nepal gradually. It will then shift to the central part of Nepal, it is stated.   

As the system turns active, there is a chance of moderate snowfall in some areas of the high hill and mountainous regions of Koshi and Bagmati Provinces, and in some areas of the high hill and mountainous regions of Gandaki Province.

Due to potential rainfall and snowfall, risks such as sudden flooding and landslides in rivers and streams may arise, which could also affect daily life, road and air transportation, agriculture, tourism, and other sectors.

The water flow in the Bagmati, Kamala, Koshi, and Kankai rivers, along with their tributaries, is expected to increase significantly, the Department noted.

There is also a high possibility of flash floods in some rivers flowing through the Kathmandu Valley, Kavre, Sindhupalchok, Dolakha, Makwanpur, Chitwan, and Sindhuli in Bagmati province; Bara, Parsa, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Mahottari, Dhanusha, and Saptari in Madhesh province; and Sankhuwasabha, Taplejung, Panchthar, Tehrathum, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Ilam, Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari districts in Koshi Province.

Hence, the Department has called for all concerned agencies and the general public to adopt precautionary and safety measures.