Monsoon arrives 15 days earlier than expected

KATHMANDU: This year’s monsoon has arrived in Nepal 15 days earlier than the usual timeline.

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the monsoon entered the country on Thursday night through the eastern region and has since spread across most parts of Koshi Province.

Department Director General Kamal Ram Joshi said that although the monsoon was expected to arrive around June 13, it began early on May 29.

It will take some time for the monsoon to spread across the rest of the country. For now, westerly and local winds continue to influence Nepal’s weather patterns.

Meteorological stations in Koshi Province have reported light to moderate rainfall so far.

This year’s monsoon is expected to bring above-average rainfall. The eastern part of Karnali Province, northern Lumbini, and most areas of Gandaki Province are forecast to receive 55 to 65 percent more rainfall than average.

Likewise, the southern part of Sudurpaschim, the western part of Lumbini, the northeastern region of Gandaki, and northern parts of Bagmati and Koshi Provinces are expected to see 45 to 55 percent more rainfall than usual.

Meanwhile, the eastern and southern parts of Madhesh Province are likely to receive 35 to 45 percent above-average rainfall, along with the rest of the country.