KATHMANDU: The monsoon is expected to arrive in Nepal within the next week, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.
Senior meteorologist Barun Poudel said the monsoon has already advanced to Kerala and Tamil Nadu in southern India and is gradually progressing northwards through the Bay of Bengal region, with entry into Nepal likely within a week.
“It cannot be stated with absolute certainty, but current estimates suggest the monsoon may arrive in about a week,” Poudel said. “It is expected to reach the Bay of Bengal in three to four days, after which it may enter Nepal in roughly a week, though it could be slightly earlier or later depending on its intensity and movement.”
He noted that monsoon onset varies each year depending on atmospheric conditions. “If the system becomes active earlier, it arrives sooner; if it develops slowly, it is delayed,” he added.
The average date for monsoon onset in Nepal is June 13, while in India it is June 1. This year, the monsoon reached India slightly later than usual, which is expected to also delay its arrival in Nepal.
“Generally, the monsoon enters Nepal within a week after reaching Kerala, but its progression depends on system activity, so the timing is not always uniform,” he said.
Meteorologists have also forecast below-average rainfall this monsoon season, along with higher temperatures. They have warned that some areas may experience either excessive rainfall or prolonged dry spells.
Meanwhile, Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, said that around 226,000 people from 51,000 households are projected to be affected during this year’s monsoon. She added that a national response plan has already been prepared and is being implemented accordingly.
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