Terai Under Siege: Extreme Heatwave Grips Nepal’s Lowlands with 43°C Forecast
Nepal is currently experiencing a dramatic weather split as a relentless heatwave tightens its grip on the Terai lowlands while the hilly and mountainous regions prepare for rain and snowfall. According to the latest forecast from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the western and central Terai will continue to swelter through Wednesday, with Bhairahawa expected to record the nation’s highest temperatures, peaking between 41 and 43 degrees Celsius.
The extreme heat is not limited to Bhairahawa; major lowland hubs such as Nepalgunj, Janakpur, and Simara are bracing for maximums between 39 and 41 degrees Celsius. Further west, Dipayal and Dhangadhi are expected to hover near the 40-degree mark. These intense heatwave conditions are primarily affecting the Lumbini and Sudurpashchim Provinces, while “hot day” conditions are extending into the valleys of Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki. In stark contrast, the capital city, Kathmandu, will enjoy significantly milder weather, with daytime temperatures ranging from 29 to 31 degrees and a comfortable nighttime low of 14 to 16 degrees.
While the plains bake under the sun, a different meteorological story is unfolding in the higher altitudes. The Himalayan belts of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki Provinces will remain generally cloudy throughout the day. Residents in the hilly regions of Koshi and the Himalayan zones of Gandaki and Bagmati can expect light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. Higher elevations may even see fresh snowfall, providing a sharp climatic relief compared to the parched plains below.
The department has attributed this varied weather pattern to the partial influence of westerly and local winds currently moving across the country. While the overnight forecast suggests that much of the Terai and Hilly regions will clear to fair weather, the Himalayan regions of Koshi are still likely to see isolated rain or snow. Authorities have advised residents in the lowlands to take necessary precautions against heat exhaustion and dehydration as the extreme conditions are expected to persist throughout the week. For now, Nepal remains a country divided by its geography, caught between the furnace of the south and the shifting storms of the north.
