Temperatures drop with cloud cover, light rains

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 25: The country experienced cloudy and cold weather on Tuesday due to the influence of westerly winds. Temperatures dropped significantly across the Tarai and various hilly regions, with hazy skies observed over the Kathmandu Valley.

Meteorological reports said that the westerly winds have carried colder and drier air from the Mediterranean region, increasing the chill, particularly in districts such as Banke and Bardiya. The Kathmandu Valley and its surrounding areas also faced cloudy skies and lower-than-average daytime temperatures.

Meen Kumar Aryal, a senior meteorologist at the Meteorological Forecasting Division, stated that the current weather conditions are expected to improve by Wednesday. However, the system responsible for snowfall in the high hills and the surrounding hills of Kathmandu may cause temperatures to drop further for the next few days.

Similarly, residents across the Kathmandu Valley grappled with challenging weather conditions due to the significant temperature decline. The temperature in Kathmandu Valley on Tuesday morning was recorded at 4.4 degrees Celsius. 

The temperature has dropped significantly across the country. According to our Nepalgunj correspondent Siraj Khan, the onset of a cold wave has considerably lowered temperatures in Nepalgunj since Tuesday. While the sun shone until Monday, the arrival of the cold wave and overcast skies on Tuesday have led to a sharp intensification of cold weather.

With the drop in temperature, local health institutions report an increase in illnesses, especially among children and the elderly.

Chief District Officer of Banke, Khagendra Rijal, said that all local governments in the district have been urged to implement measures to protect the public from the cold wave. He highlighted the need to identify vulnerable groups, such as extremely poor families, senior citizens, children, pregnant women, nursing mothers and high-risk communities, and take targeted actions to safeguard them.

Since the beginning of the cold season, health institutions in Nepalgunj have reported a rise in patient numbers.

Dr. Sanket Kumar Risal, Information Officer at Bheri Hospital, noted that the hospital has seen an increase in children and elderly individuals seeking treatment for cold-related illnesses. “A significant number of children are coming in with ailments such as cold, fever, pneumonia and diarrhoea,” he said.

Similarly, Dr. Roman Kidwai, Associate Director of Nepalgunj Medical College Teaching Hospital, reported a growing number of patients suffering from cold-related health issues.

The cold has not only impacted the elderly and children but has also made survival difficult for those affected by the earthquake.

Our Humla correspondent Rajan Rawat reported that Humla has experienced its second snowfall of the season, significantly impacting daily life due to the extreme cold. The snowfall, which began early Tuesday morning, has caused a sharp drop in temperature, disrupting normal activities.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rabindra Khanal reported that heavy snowfall started suddenly on Tuesday morning. The district headquarters, Simkot, received up to three inches of snow, while northern areas like Namkha Rural Municipality recorded nearly one and a half feet.

The snowfall has intensified the cold, making travel difficult and affecting villages such as Limi, Yari, Halji, Til, Hilsa, and Chala. In Simkot, the temperature has plummeted to -4 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the southern parts of the district are experiencing rainfall. Health workers have advised the elderly and children to remain safe and take precautions during the harsh weather.

The snowfall has also disrupted air travel, according to Mahendra Bahadur Singh, chief of Simkot Airport. Flights from Nepalgunj to Simkot, scheduled by private airlines and Nepal Airlines, were cancelled due to the persistent snowfall.

Meanwhile, our Bajura correspondent Sher Bahadur Sharki reported that daily life has been disrupted in the district as snowfall resumed again on Tuesday morning, particularly in the high-altitude regions.

Snowfall, which started at around 7 am on Tuesday, made it challenging for locals to carry on with their daily activities. According to Tek Bahadur Thapa, a resident of Budhinanda Municipality, areas like Badimalika, Budhinanda, Jagannath, Himali and Swamikartik have been blanketed in snow, intensifying the chill and further affecting daily life.

Our Rukum West correspondent Raju Lamichhane reported that many people displaced by the earthquake centred in Jajarkot remain in temporary shelters in Rukum West, Jajarkot and Salyan. They now face another harsh winter in the same conditions due to the government's failure to initiate reconstruction work even after a year.

The earthquake victims, who suffered through bitter cold, persistent rain, hailstorms and winds in temporary shelters last year, are now expressing grave concerns about their deteriorating living conditions. Janak Lamichhane, a resident of Chaurjahari Municipality-1 and an earthquake victim, stated that the lack of timely reconstruction programmes has left them no choice but to spend yet another winter in makeshift shelters.

“Although the government had assured us that reconstruction would start soon, we are still living in a pitiable state,” he said. Many earthquake victims lament that, after enduring the hardships of previous winters and monsoons, they had hoped for reconstruction to begin, but their wait has stretched into another winter. Those living under tarpaulins and zinc-roofed shelters describe their summers as unbearably hot and rainy seasons as intolerable.

In Rukum West, 2,002 beneficiaries identified for government aid have yet to receive the first instalment for building temporary shelters. Out of 32,996 identified beneficiaries, funds for the second instalment have been released for only 16,000 individuals. This delay has made earthquake victims skeptical about the government's promised support for reconstruction.

The Kathmandu valley received light rain on Tuesday evening. After the rainfall a few people were seen making outdoor fire to beat cold in different places of the city.