Scorching heat affects normal life across country

Kathmandu, Jun1: Extreme heat is affecting lives across the country for the past two days, and for those who are expecting precipitation, there is no good news, as meteorologists have predicted the country has no chance of receiving rains for another three days.

In a few days, the monsoon season will start, but the country is currently reeling under extreme heat. A few days ago, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) forecast a possibility of less rainfall in the coming rainy season, except for some areas in the eastern hills and the Terai.

According to Sanjeev Adhikari, a senior meteorologist at the Meteorological Forecast Division, the temperature of the Kathmandu Valley reached 32 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. There will be no chance of rainfall for another three days, so the temperature is likely to increase further, he added.

“The western disturbance and local system are not strong enough to bring showers to the country. However, a few hilly areas are experiencing light isolated rainfall in the evening,” Adhikary added.

“Many districts in the Terai region are already witnessing rising temperatures. Most of the Terai districts recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, but we have not officially declared a heatwave,” he said. He requested people to take precautions to avoid heat-related problems.

The department has also announced the weather forecast for this year’s monsoon period (June 1 to September 30) and predicted a possibility of low rainfall in most areas.

According to the DHM, there is a 35 per cent to 45 per cent chance of heavy rainfall in the central and northeastern regions of the Koshi province, the southeastern region of the Bagmati province, and most of the Madhes province. In other areas, there is a 35 percent to 55 percent chance of low rainfall during the four months of monsoon.

During the monsoon period, the maximum temperature across the country is predicted to be higher than average. Additionally, the department mentioned that the temperature in some areas of Tanahun and Syangja will increase by more than 55 per cent of the average temperature.

In the Sudhurpaschim province, which includes Banke, Bardia, Dang, Rukum East of Lumbini, the mid-hill areas of the Gandaki province, the inner Madhes, the mid-hill areas of the Bagmati province, and the western part of Madhes Province, there is a possibility of the maximum temperature exceeding 55 per cent of the average temperature.

The minimum temperature is also expected to be higher than average in most places during the monsoon period.

In summer, monsoon rains occur due to the vapor-laden air moving from the sea to the land. Monsoon activity is active in Nepal, especially when the water vapor air comes from the Bay of Bengal and, to some extent, from the Arabian Sea, from the east to the west.

However, experts have stated that the monsoon activity might be affected by weather phenomena such as El Nino developing in the East Pacific Ocean and two polar systems developing in the Indian Ocean.

Meanwhile, our correspondent Janarjan Khatri from Sarlahi reported that the life in Terai districts, including Sarlahi, Mahottari, Dhanusha, Rautahat, Bara, and Parsa, has been affected by the extreme heat, which reached above 40 degrees Celsius on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The locals in this area have been unable to sleep well since Monday night. The scorching sun throughout the day makes the nights very hot.

The number of people walking in the streets and markets has also decreased due to the heat. However, fruit sellers are making profits as the consumption of fruits like watermelons, papaya, and other refreshments has increased.