Heavy Rain Alert Issued; Travellers Urged to Avoid Night Journeys
Meteorologists have forecast moderate to heavy rainfall across large parts of Nepal over the next two days, warning of possible flash floods, landslides, and road disruptions, particularly during nighttime travel.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, rainfall is expected to intensify from Tuesday evening, with a higher likelihood of heavier precipitation on April 29 compared to April 28. The Kathmandu Valley and surrounding areas are likely to witness significant rainfall, especially during the evening and night.
Meteorologist Ujjwal Upadhyaya said the current weather system is expected to affect the Kathmandu Valley, nearby regions, and much of eastern Nepal up to the Mechi River. Intermittent rainfall is likely to continue through Wednesday and Thursday, extending from Mechi in the east to the Trishuli–Kaligandaki river regions in the west.
Authorities have warned that the rain could trigger flash floods in smaller rivers and streams, landslides in hilly areas, and potential road blockages. Travellers have been advised to avoid nighttime journeys on high-risk routes, including the Tribhuvan, Prithvi, Siddhartha, Pasang Lhamu, and BP highways.
The current weather pattern is attributed to the merging of two pre-monsoon systems one entering from the eastern region near India’s Uttarakhand and another from the western side near Himachal Pradesh combined with a local weather system. “Individually, these systems are not very large, but their merger has increased the risk of heavy rainfall in certain areas,” Upadhyaya explained.
He added that areas between the Mechi and Karnali rivers could experience short bursts of extremely heavy rainfall lasting one to two hours, potentially causing flooding in regions with poor drainage.
The department has issued yellow alerts for districts in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces for April 28, extending the alert to all seven provinces on April 29. Residents are urged to stay updated on weather conditions and exercise caution.
Meteorologist Saroj Pudasaini said moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in parts of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, with snowfall or rain also likely in the Himalayan regions.
On Tuesday, moderate rainfall is forecast across all provinces, with isolated heavy rain or snowfall expected in hilly and Himalayan areas of Koshi and Gandaki provinces. On Wednesday, widespread rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is expected in several regions, including Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki, with precipitation also likely in parts of Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim.
Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious, particularly in landslide-prone and flood-affected areas, as weather conditions are expected to remain unstable over the coming days.
