KATHMANDU: As Cyclone Arnav approaches Nepal, meteorologists have urged people to remain cautious from Thursday through Saturday, warning of possible rainfall across the country and heavy snowfall in mountainous regions.
The Weather Forecasting Division has said that although Cyclone Arnav, currently over the Bay of Bengal, appears strong, its impact is expected to weaken as it approaches Nepal from Thursday.
In its five-day weather forecast issued on Tuesday morning, the division said weather conditions across Nepal were expected to remain mostly clear on Tuesday and Wednesday before the cyclone began affecting the country.
Meteorologist Bibhuti Pokharel of the division said the cyclone was expected to make landfall near Visakhapatnam, India, from Wednesday.
“Cyclone Arnav currently appears quite strong over the Bay of Bengal. It is expected to make landfall via Visakhapatnam, India, from Wednesday,” she said.
The system is then expected to move gradually towards Nepal from the northwest, Pokharel said.
“We expect the cyclone to weaken somewhat as it enters Nepal. However, as its path is directed towards the country, people should remain cautious, particularly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday,” she said.
Pokharel advised people in the high hills and mountainous regions to exercise greater caution than those in the Terai.
The cyclone could bring light to heavy rainfall to several parts of Nepal, while heavy snowfall is possible in mountainous areas. Trekkers planning to visit high-altitude destinations have been urged to take extra precautions and monitor weather updates.
The forecast has also raised concerns among farmers preparing to harvest their paddy crops. Meteorologists have warned that even moderate rainfall could damage standing paddy and affect harvested crops that have not been properly stored.
Farmers have been advised to bring in paddy already harvested before Thursday and postpone harvesting standing crops for a few days, depending on local weather conditions.
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