Monsoon active across the country, heavy rainfall likely in some provinces

The Weather Forecasting Division has said the country will remain cloudy today. 

As the low pressure belt of monsoon is around the Tarai region, Nepal is predicted to have active monsoon in the next 24 hours.

Some of the places in Madhes, Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Provinces will have heavy rainfall. Few places in these provinces will have torrential rains. 

Karnali Province is also predicted to have heavy rainfall in one to two places. 

Cloudy weather is forecasted in Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces tonight. 

Moderate rainfall is likely in the hilly region of Gandaki and Karnali Provinces. 

Most of the places in the Tarai belt are expected to have moderate rainfall tonight. 

 

 

Farmers in Madhesh intensify paddy plantation with rain after prolonged drought

Until just 10 days ago, Shambhu Prasad Yadav of Sakhuwaprasauni Rural municipality-2 in Parsa district was uncertain whether he would be able to complete paddy transplantation this season, as a prolonged dry spell had gripped the Madhesh Province.    

However, the rainfall which is almost regular over the past week has brought much-needed relief to farmers across the province.    

Prior to the rains, farmers were relying heavily on deep tube wells for irrigation, a costly and challenging alternative, particularly in areas with unreliable electricity supply.    

According to Pradeep Kumar Yadav, Senior Crop Development Officer at the Madhesh Province Agricultural Development Directorate, paddy transplantation activities have gained momentum since the rainfall began. As of Srawan 16 (August 1), some 57.27 percent of the total 372,645 hectares allocated for paddy cultivation had been transplanted. Over the past week, it increased by 19.27 percent.    

By August 8, the area under paddy cultivation in the eight districts of Madhesh Province had reached 76.54 percent or 285,234 hectares.    

Among the districts, Bara reports the highest progress with 95 percent of its paddy fields transplanted, followed by Parsa at 92 percent, Rautahat at 85 percent, Sarlahi at 75 percent, Dhanusha, Saptari and Siraha each at 70 percent and Mahottari at 61.5 percent.    

Chief of the Agricultural Knowledge Centre, Bara, Raj Narayan Prasad Shah, said that the recent rains have brought immense relief to farmers. “Many fields had developed fissures due to prolonged dryness, and the rains have not only irrigated the land but also brought relief and joy to farmers." (RSS)

Monsoon's influence to prevail across the country today

The low-pressure line of the monsoon is located to the north of average position in the Tarai region of Nepal. 

Although the monsoon influence is prevailing across the country, the impact of water vapour seems somewhat weak, the weather forecasting division indicated. 

According to the division, the weather will generally be cloudy across the country this afternoon. There are high chances of heavy rainfall in hilly and Tarai areas of Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim Provinces. 

Likewise, a few places in the hilly areas of the rest of the country, and some areas of Madhes and the remaining Tarai region may experience moderate rainfall, the division predicted. 

There is a possibility of heavy rain in one or two places in the hilly areas of Lumbini Province, including its Tarai region, as well as in the hilly areas of Koshi, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim Provinces. 

The weather is expected to remain generally cloudy across the country tonight. A moderate rainfall is likely to take place in some areas of the hilly regions of Madhes, Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki Provinces, and a few places in the remaining hilly and Tarai regions. 

The division's weather bulletin indicates the possibility of heavy rain in one or two places in the hilly areas of Koshi and Bagmati Provinces.. 

 

Monsoon peaks in south China, unleashing landslides, disease

Rescue crews raced on Wednesday to clear debris and flooded roads as southern China braced for more extreme rainfall and spreading infection after some of the worst downpours this century, brought by a peak in East Asian monsoon rains, Reuters reported.

Forecasters warned of more thunderstorms after the century's second-heaviest August rains pounded Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, forcing its Baiyun airport, one of the world's busiest, to cancel 363 flights and delay 311.

The day before, the skies above Hong Kong and the high-tech cities of China's Pearl River Delta turned livid and dumped the heaviest August rainfall since 1884 on the Asian financial hub, according to Reuters.

Heavy rains trigger deadly landslide and flood warnings in Northern China

A landslide caused by intense rainfall has killed four people and left eight missing near Chengde in Hebei province, Xinhua reported.

In Beijing’s Miyun district, over 4,400 people were evacuated as floods and landslides hit villages, cutting power to more than 10,000 residents.

Flood alerts have been issued in at least 11 provinces, including Beijing and Shanxi, with more heavy rain expected in the coming days.

Authorities have sent emergency teams to Hebei and allocated 50m yuan ($7m) for recovery. Scientists link the surge in extreme weather to climate change and the intensifying East Asian monsoon, according to Xinhua.

 

Mosquito menace looms as monsoon intensifies

Heavy rains in the evenings and intense heat in the daytime are exacerbating the risk of dengue, malaria and other vector-borne diseases across the country.

With more rainfall predicted this monsoon compared to preceding seasons, health authorities are urging the public to take preventive measures to avoid potential outbreaks.

Data from the World Health Organization show that dengue—an illness transmitted through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito infected with dengue virus (DENV)—afflicts 100m-400m people around the world every year.

According to government statistics, Nepal saw one of its worst dengue outbreaks in history, with 52,557 confirmed cases and 60 deaths, in 2022. While the numbers dropped in 2024, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) reported 34,385 cases and 13 deaths, affecting 76 districts across the country. 

Aware of a serious threat to public health arising from the vector-borne disease, the government has already implemented a regular surveillance and monitoring system through an early warning and reporting mechanism.

At the same time, it has strengthened integrated vector management strategies for mosquito surveillance with the objective of controlling vectors that transmit diseases like malaria, dengue and zika. These strategies combine various control methods, including biological, chemical, environmental and public health education, to optimize resource use and achieve sustainable vector control.

The EDCD has projected that more than 60,000 people could contract dengue across the country this year, and prepared an action plan to mitigate possible outbreaks.

The EDCD’s estimate is based on past trends, climatic conditions and the early onset of cases this year. The division is currently coordinating with local governments and health institutions to strengthen surveillance, awareness campaigns and vector control measures.

Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and take preventive measures, such as eliminating mosquito breeding sites and using protective clothing as well as repellents.

Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel has recommended halting construction works for four months—from July to October—to control dengue and save lives. 

Minister Paudel also emphasized the importance of a cleanliness campaign to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds and asked all to join it. He stated that raising awareness is key to preventing the spread of dengue. “It is essential to inform the public and work together,” he said. Minister Paudel urged everyone to keep their surroundings free of dengue larvae to protect themselves and others. He also asked citizens to take part in regular sanitation efforts every Friday, from July to October.

Dr Anup Subedee, an infectious disease specialist, emphasized the importance of raising awareness to prevent the spread of dengue. “While awareness programs are going on, the government, local authorities and communities must work together to make them effective,” he said: In particular, the government must remain vigilant, as we expect a rise in dengue cases this season.

Dr Subedee warned that the current period is a transitional phase, with changing weather and noticeable climate shifts. “The peak season for the spread of dengue has not arrived yet. When it arrives, we fear that more people will suffer—possibly for a prolonged period because of the climatic shift,” he added.

Using bed nets, applying mosquito repellent creams for short-term protection, keeping the surroundings clean and removing stagnant water are some of the effective ways to reduce the risk of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Dr Subedee noted that dengue can come with a variety of symptoms. “Not all cases require hospital visits. For minor symptoms like headaches and body aches, people don’t need to visit hospitals. They can take care of their health at home by taking paracetamol and staying well-hydrated with fluids such as pulses, soup, juice and other liquids,” he said.

Dr Subedee added, “Some cases require medical attention. If someone experiences persistent fever and severe body pain for more than 3-4 days, they should visit a hospital as soon as possible and consult a doctor. In more serious cases, dengue can affect internal organs such as the lungs and pancreas.”

Though rare, severe dengue can lead to serious complications such as acute pancreatitis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), affecting the pancreas and lungs. These conditions may result from direct viral damage, immune responses or plasma leakage. Symptoms like abdominal pain and fever can delay diagnosis, and even if fever subsides, dengue should still be suspected in patients showing other symptoms associated with the disease. In severe cases, especially dengue hemorrhagic fever, organ damage and respiratory failure may occur, emphasizing the need for early recognition and medical attention.

Dengue rapid test kits available at government health institutions can help with timely diagnosis that is so crucial in saving lives. Furthermore, the EDCD has approved and published a comprehensive dengue prevention and control action plan on the occasion of World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day 2025.

With the rise of dengue patients in the hospital, labs and most hospitals take this as an opportunity to take benefit from the citizens. Addressing the issue, Minister Paudel stated, “We will try to make dengue testing free and if that’s not possible, we will set a fixed rate. He warned against fleecing the poor and suffering people in the name of testing.

 

Minister Paudel admitted that the government needs to do more on the dengue control front, adding that it is preparing to collaborate with the media for disseminating relevant information among the public.

 

Monsoon-induced disasters claim 31 lives in one month

In one month of this year's monsoon, 674 water-induced disasters were reported from across the country with 31 casualties and 112 injuries. 

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 87 landslide incidents were recorded during the review period. 

These events partially damaged 25 houses and destroyed 11. Additionally, 14 animals were killed and seven cow sheds were destroyed. 

The estimated physical loss from landslides amounted to Rs 22.01 million.

Flooding incidents numbered 64, resulting in the deaths of four people and injuries to seven others. 

As many as 123 families were affected by the floods.

Lightning strikes proved to be the deadliest, claiming 82 lives and injuring 20 people.

In 45 reported cases of wind-related disasters, one person was killed and three others were injured. 

The physical loss from these incidents was estimated at Rs 2.6 million. 

 

 

Health Ministry starts preparations for prevention of monsoon-induced health hazards

The Ministry of Health and Population has started preparations for necessary preparedness for the prevention and control of pandemic during the monsoon. 

Health Minister Pradip Paudel held a preparation meeting which took six decisions regarding response and prevention in view of the possibility of different types of infection, diseases and pandemic in the rainy season.  

During the meeting with health officers involved in disaster response and pandemic control today, Minister Paudel directed them for preparedness by identifying the problems on time. 

According to Minister Paudel's Private Secretariat, the Department of Health Services would make necessary preparations for the management of cleanliness and clean water by identifying the places vulnerable to outbreak of pandemic. 

Similarly, the National Health Education Information and Communication Centre would carry out activities for the dissemination of effective information up to local levels for raising awareness on the use of clean water.  

The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division would collect necessary information and forward preparation by holding virtual meetings with rapid response teams of all local levels. 

The Division would update the details of those trained for health related disaster control and assign them in all seven provinces as per the need. 

Likewise, necessary preparations would be initiated by coordinating with the National Emergency Operation Centre and Provincial Health Emergency Operation Centre.  

The meeting took the decision where the Department of Health Services would submit the proposal in the ministry within a week in order to amend the 'Infectious Disease Act, 2020' as per the changing context and need. 

 

 

Early monsoon fuels dengue fears

Unpredictable weather marked by intense heat and sudden rainfall has increased the risk of spread of communicable diseases like dengue and malaria, health experts warn. This year’s rainfall is expected to be heavier than usual, which could intensify the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses, particularly dengue.

Dengue fever is a viral illness transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, specifically one carrying the dengue virus (DENV). The illness is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of Asia, Central and South America, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. With the anticipated rise in rainfall, health authorities are urging the public to take preventive measures to avoid a potential outbreak.

This year the monsoon is expected to arrive in the third week of June, and the rainfall is estimated to be 5 percent above average. Eastern Nepal (Mechi, Koshi, Sagarmatha) is expected to receive 5–10 percent more rainfall, central Nepal (Janakpur, Bagmati, Narayani, Gandaki, and Lumbini) 4–6 percent more, and western and far-western regions are expected to receive average rainfall.

According to the World Health Organization, every year around 100–400m people get infected by Dengue from all around the world. In 2022, Nepal saw one of its worst dengue outbreaks in history: 52,557 confirmed cases and 60 deaths, according to official government statistics. While numbers dropped in 2024, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) reported 34,385 cases and 13 deaths, affecting 76 districts across the country.

Since the first reported case of dengue in Nepal in 2004, the number of infections has been steadily increasing each year. To combat this growing health threat, early detection, diagnosis, management, and reporting have become essential. A regular surveillance and monitoring system has been implemented through an early warning and reporting mechanism.

Mosquito surveillance is also being strengthened through integrated vector management strategies. Integrated Vector Management (IVM) is a strategic approach to controlling vectors that transmit diseases like malaria, dengue, and Zika. It combines various control methods, including biological, chemical, environmental, and public health education, to optimize resource use and achieve sustainable vector control.

To support timely diagnosis, dengue rapid test kits have been made available free of charge at government health institutions. Furthermore, a comprehensive dengue prevention and control action plan has been approved and published by the EDCD on the occasion of World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day 2025.

Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, chief of the Clinical Research Unit at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital said: “Dengue might break out at any time during the monsoon season. One should take necessary precautions and the authorities concerned should have a good preparedness plan to stop the outbreak.”

To prevent dengue, it is important to take both personal and environmental precautions. Personal protection methods include using mosquito repellents, electronic mosquito-killing machines, mosquito nets and electric bats. Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is equally important.

Dr Pun emphasized that while using items like above can help prevent mosquito bites, people should not rely solely on them. “These methods only deter mosquitoes temporarily and do not eliminate them,” he said, stressing the need for long-term preventive measures, such as maintaining cleanliness and preventing water stagnation in and around homes that serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. 

Province wise Dengue Cases (January-December 2024)

Province

Dengue cases in number

Dengue cases in percent

Koshi

2067

6.0 percent

Madhes

638

1.9 percent

Bagmati

12253

35.6 percent

Gandaki

15806

46.0 percent

Lumbini

1815

5.3 percent

Karnali

362

1.1 percent

Sudurpaschim

1444

4.2 percent

Total

34385

100 percent

Source: Epidemiology and Disease control Division (EDCD)

Post monsoon brings cold; people urged to adopt precaution

The country is now in post monsoon. The retreat of the monsoon has brought cold.

The meteorologists have suggested precautions to avoid the cold. After the rainfall on September 27 and 28, the weather improved significantly in the country. The monsoon exited fully two days back.

With the clear sky, it feels cold in the morning and evening now. The federal capital, Kathmandu, is getting increasingly cold for a week, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.

Meteorologist Sanjiv Adhikari said the minimum temperature in Kathmandu was recorded at 20 degree Celsius on October 1, which is down to 16 degree Celsius at present. "We're feeling increasingly cold in Kathmandu. It is in decline for two weeks," he added.

On Sunday, the Kathmandu Valley's temperature was at 14.7 degree Celsius while it was 16 degree Celsius on Monday.

Not only the federal capital but also other parts saw fall in mercury. As the temperature is declining, people need to maintain precaution, Adhikari suggested.

There is a general weather impact of westerly wind in Lumbini, Sudurpaschim, Karnali and Gandaki Provinces while the partial impact is a blend of westerly and local winds in Koshi, Madhesh and Bagmati provinces, the Weather Forecasting Division said.

Despite partial weather changes in hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces, the weather will be clear today.

 

Climate change brings variation in monsoon system, say climatologists

Climatologists have said that a variation has occurred on the monsoon system also due to climate change from global warming. They reasoned that the monsoon this year withdrew from the country 10 days later compared to the previous years.

Climatologist Manjit Dhakal considers the delayed withdrawal of the monsoon as an alteration in the monsoon pattern. According to him, this trend can be considered as an impact of climate change.

Similarly, the relentless rain on September 27 and 28, he assessed, is also due to the effect of climate change. However, climatologist Dhakal has pointed out the need of carrying out research on such climate-related hazards.

He suggested implementation of the concept of climate-friendly development for sustainable development. "It has become inevitable to give priority to climate adaptation programs," he said, quoting the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Meteorologist Bishnu Ghimire also indicated the need of research to reach a conclusion whether or not the delayed withdrawal of the monsoon system is due to the effects of climate change. His understanding is also that there is an alteration in the monsoon pattern due to the climate change impact.

 

Rethinking disaster management in Nepal: Lessons from this monsoon

In the early hours of 12 July 2024, two buses tragically plunged into the Trishuli River at Simaltal, Chitwan, claiming several lives and testing Nepal’s disaster response capacity. Within hours, 52 trained members of Nepal's Armed Police Force (APF), along with more than 200 personnel deployed in rescue operations, arrived at the scene and started their work. However, in a move that has become all too familiar, the government sought international assistance, which led to the deployment of 12 personnel equipped with advanced technology like sonar systems and magnets—tools that Nepal lacked—for search operations.

The result? The APF divers, operating with limited equipment, outperformed the foreign team in terms of efficiency. The incident exposed the fact that Nepal's disaster response often relies on foreign assistance, even when capable local teams exist. This tendency raises critical questions about the country's dependency mindset and its failure to empower its own disaster management infrastructure. Despite facing frequent natural disasters—earthquakes, floods, landslides, and more—the country has yet to establish a comprehensive, well-resourced, and functional system, not just a lame institution, for disaster preparedness and response. 

International assistance can be a lifeline in moments of crisis, but relying all the time on it as the primary solution exposes Nepal's willingness and ability to protect its citizens. 

What the Simaltal incident teaches us

The Simaltal incident is a reminder of the need to shift our focus from reactive measures to proactive disaster management. If we are to quickly scan the current DRR regime in Nepal, at least five key actions can be said to be crucial to correcting our past mistakes and building a resilient DRRM system.

Firstly, let’s not just enjoy doing one after another workshops for response planning in star hotels. Instead, the Ministry of Home Affairs must invest in modern equipment and technology disaster risk reduction measures. The Study says if we invest 1 USD in preparedness, we could save 7 USD in post-disaster management. 

The APF divers’ performance highlighted their courage and commitment, but it also exposed the limitations of working without advanced equipment. The tools brought by the foreign rescue divers--such as sonar systems for underwater detection--are not luxuries but necessities for modern disaster response. Nepal must invest in acquiring and maintaining such equipment, along with training personnel in their use. 

 

Second, the Ministry will be at ease if it invests in empowering and equipping national forces and local governments. Nepal has competent agencies like the APF and Nepal Army, yet their potential is undermined by a lack of resources. We must provide these agencies with continuous training, better infrastructure, and the authority to act autonomously in times of disaster. Local governments, too, need to be integrated into the national disaster preparedness framework, enabling them to take the lead in disaster-prone areas.

Third, given the advancement in technology, we must invest to fully develop a robust multi-hazards early warning system. Let me bring up a case. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology had projected above-normal rainfall for this year. By mid-monsoon, 70 percent of the rainfall had already occurred and by early August an average of 90 percent rainfall had been recorded. Early warnings are even more critical, where every second matters for saving lives and properties. 

On July 6, several villages in Bagmati and Lumbi were flooded due to heavy rainfall a day before (on July 5) and Kanchanpur of Sudurpaschim recorded 624 mm of rainfall in 24 hours which is extremely heavy rainfall.  The news media had published warning news including expert interviews two days in advance citing weather forecasts, but the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) failed to act promptly. All it did was upload an awareness song on its website only by late afternoon on July 6. 

The lack of an effective early warning system has exacerbated the impact of disasters in several such cases, including during the Bhotekoshi floods in 2016 and the recent Thame floods in Solukhumbu. Nepal needs a comprehensive, tech-enabled early warning system that can provide real-time data on natural hazards such as floods and landslides. One that is now run by the Department of Hydrology and Metrology (DHM) requires a massive upgrade in its current EWS

Fourth, it is time we prioritize Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure given the losses we have already faced with the multi-million-dollar Melamchi project constructed on ADB loan. Whether it's flood barriers, earthquake-resistant buildings, or safe roadways in landslide-prone areas, investments in infrastructure can dramatically reduce both the human and economic toll of disasters. Nepal’s geography is challenging, but modern engineering can mitigate these risks if prioritized. A  flood in the Koshi basin, for example, could wipe away investment made in the Hydropower sector (some already in construction, some in pipeline) worth over US 10bn. Climate-proofing this investment makes a business case.

Finally, Nepal needs to roll up its sleeves and work hard to institutionalize preparedness and response through policy and governance. Not much progress has been made in this sector despite the substantive support from international partners. 

The unfortunate reality is that the Ministry has no information on the impact of the 36 projects implemented in areas like DRR and urban resilience with donor's money. This reflects a potential misuse of donor funds.

While Nepal has made progress in policy-making, including setting up of NDRRMA, the implementation often falls short. It lacks full authority like the one enjoyed by India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). This also means creating a clear chain of command during emergencies. During the Simaltal tragedy, the state was in a doldrum as the parties were busy flexing muscles to form a new government. A strong NDRRMA would have come into action irrespective of any change in the political equation in Kathmandu. 

 All these failed disaster responses that we witness every monsoon, therefore, should not be remembered only for its loss of life but as a wake-up call. If Nepal fails to learn from these repeated incidents, we risk falling into the same trap of reactionary measures that only exacerbate the loss and damage.

Monsoon expected to become active from Thursday evening

The Meteorological Forecasting Division, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has forecast rain for three days beginning on Thursday.

In a special bulletin today, the Division said heavy rain is likely in some parts of the country in this period, urging the people to remain alert amid such possibility.  

According to Division's meteorologist Shanti Kandel, presently the influence of monsoon wind is across the country and the monsoon trough is positioned towards the south than the average location. However, the monsoon trough positioned around Madhya Pradesh in India is likely to further develop and shift towards the north, triggering monsoon activities in Nepal mainly in the western parts of the country. 

The western Nepal is likely to see rain from Thursday evening to Saturday morning.

Generally to fully cloudy weather has been expected in Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim Provinces and partly to generally cloudy in the rest of the provinces.

As the Bulletin states, light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely in many parts of Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim Provinces and some parts of the remaining provinces.  

A few parts of Lumbini and Sudurpaschim provinces and one-two part of the remaining provinces are likely to see heavy to very heavy rain in the next three days.

Tonight, partly to generally cloudy is forecast throughout the country while light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at some places of Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpashchim provinces and a few places of the rest of the provinces.

Chances remain for heavy rainfall at one or two places in the Koshi, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpashchim Provinces.

The Division warns of the risk of floods and inundation during the night due to rains, urging one and all to remain watchful of potential consequences.

28 people killed due to monsoon-related disasters so far

With the beginning of monsoon in the country, 28 people have lost their lives, one is missing and 25 others have been injured in the monsoon disaster.

In today's meeting of the National Assembly, the Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security, Dol Prasad Aryal, while responding to the questions raised during the discussion under the Appropriation Bill, 2081, said that 46 houses were completely damaged and 36 houses were partially damaged due to the monsoon disaster.  Minister Aryal informed the upper house of the federal Parliament about the loss details, responding on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.

Presenting the details of the monsoon disasters so far in the current fiscal year, he informed that 24 people died from landslides, 19 people were injured and four people died from floods, one person went missing and two people were injured. Four people were injured due to heavy rain. In 93 incidents of lightning, 19 people died and 35 were injured.

Minister Aryal informed that 32 districts have been affected by lightning so far. One hundred and seventy-one quadrupeds have died from all the disasters. He further informed that Monsoon Preparedness and Response National Action Plan, 2081 has been prepared and implemented for disaster management.

He informed that after assessing the risks that may occur due to monsoon disasters, organizational responsibilities have been assigned in various areas to protect the vulnerable areas.

Giving information that preparations have been made under the convenorship of the District Disaster Management Committee chaired by the Chief District Officer, he said that according to the Monsoon Preparedness and Response National Action Plan prepared in collaboration with the relevant agencies, a program is being carried out to protect people from disasters by setting up a 'command post'.

According to him, Rs 500, 000 have been given to the family of the deceased from the district disaster management fund, Rs 300 thousand received from the state government, daily consumables including rice, pulses, oil, sugar, soap have been provided.

In addition, Rs 15,000, tents, blankets and utensils were immediately provided to the family of the deceased, he shared.

Monsoon to be more active in next few days

Monsoon is expected to be further active by Thursday. 

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, the monsoon low pressure trough is likely to be positioned near the border of the southern part of Nepal, suggesting the possibility of the escalation of the monsoon.  Amidst this prediction, the Division has urged one and all to remain watchful of any untoward incidents and take precautions accordingly till July 4.

In this period, the weather will be generally to completely cloudy across the country with the possibility of light to moderate rains in most of the parts.  

A few parts of Koshi, Bagamati, Gandaki, and Lumbini Provinces and one or two parts of the Madhesh, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim Provinces are likely to witness heavy rains with lightning during the monsoon period.

Likewise, in the next three to four days, one/two parts of the Koshi, Gandaki, and Lumbini Provinces are likely to witness heavy rainfall. The Division said that Taplejung, Panchthar, Sankhuwasabha, Tehrathum, Morang, Jhapa, Sunsari, Ilam, Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Khotang, Solukhumbu and Okhaldhunga in the Koshi Province are vulnerable to landslides and flooding in this monsoon.

Similarly, Makwanpur, Chitwan, Sindhupalchowk, and Dolakha in Bagmati Province, Myagdi, Baglung, Kaski, Parbat, Syangja, Tanahu, Nawalparasi East and Lamjung of the Gandaki Province are at high risk of natural disasters.

In the case of Lumbini Province, Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Gulmi, Pyuthan, Nawalparasi West, Rolpa and Rukum East are at risk of disasters while no such high risk has been predicted in the Madhesh and Sudur Paschim provinces.

Today, it will be generally mostly cloudy throughout the country. Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur in some places of the country and chances of heavy rainfall at a few places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Sudurpashchim Provinces while there is possibility of very heavy rainfall at one or two places of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces.

Tonight, it will be generally mostly cloudy throughout the country. Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur in some places of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces and at a few places in the rest of the country. Similarly, there are chances of heavy rainfall at a few places of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces and of very heavy rainfall at one or two places of Koshi and Gandaki.

 

Monsoon-induced disasters affect 33 districts, 28 people dead in 16 days

Thirty-three districts of the country have been affected from water-induced disasters from June 10-26.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Taplejung, Panchthar, Sankhuwasabha, Sindhupalchowk, Rasuwa, Chitwan, Lamjung, Parbat, Myagdi, Nawalparasi East, Gulmi, Dang, Kaski districts were affected the most.

A total of 147 disaster-related incidents had occurred during the period in which 28 people lost their lives, added the Ministry. Of them, 14 people were killed in landslides, 13 in lightning and one in flood.  

Similarly, 12 people sustained injuries and 25 houses were completely damaged while 10 suffered partial damages from landslides during the period.

According to the Secretariat of Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, property worth more than Rs 6.9 million was destroyed by landslides.

A total of 68 incidents of lightning took place during the period in which 13 people lost their lives. Twenty-four people were injured from lightning and property worth more than Rs 1.7 million was damaged.

Spokesperson at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, Dr Dijan Bhattarai, said 18 people were killed in disaster incidents on June 25 and 26. Of them, nine died from lightning, and nine from flooding and landslides.