Kathmandu: The monsoon, which had initially entered Nepal from Koshi Province earlier than usual on May 29, has now shifted its course to East Asia, specifically towards the Philippines. This shift has resulted in a delay of monsoon rains across the region.
According to National News Agency Nepal, a meteorologist from the Meteorological Forecasting Division explained that the shift is due to the formation of a strong low-pressure area in East Asia. Meteorologist Govinda Jha noted that the monsoon’s movement towards East Asia decreases the likelihood of its spread in Nepal for the coming days.
The early arrival of the monsoon had initially caused heavy rainfall in eastern Nepal on May 31, leading to significant flooding. The Leuti rivulet overflowed, sweeping away 100 meters of road along the Dharan-Dhankuta section. Additionally, the Mai rivulet in Jhapa claimed 22 houses. Since then, the eastern part of Nepal has experienced a halt in rainfall.
Jha further explained that the monsoon has not fully entered Nepal due to the strength of westerly winds. While the monsoon wind usually brings moisture from the Bay of Bengal into Nepal, it remains weak at present. This has caused temperatures to rise across the country. The current monsoon ‘break’ could lead to uneven rainfall, potentially causing heavy rains in some areas and droughts in others, he added.