Rain, Snow And Ruin

Nature takes its course independently, beyond human control. Sometimes the sun shines and at other times it rains. However, when these natural activities turn disastrous, it is the people and animals who suffer the most. Even if the creatures form an important part of nature, the sentient beings never stop calculating the pros and cons of its actions, such as rain, snowfall and floods. When the natural events catch people off guard, it becomes difficult to cope with them. In such a situation, negative repercussions outweigh the positive ones. Nonetheless, some natural events also prove as a blessing in disguise.  For instance, just recently, heavy snowfall has lashed the country’s high mountain regions, while lower areas have witnessed rainfall. 

The unexpected blizzard damaged crops that were ready to harvest in many parts of the country, while also hampering tourism activities in high-altitude places.

A farmer from Arghakhanchi district has expressed joy over the sudden showers. The October rain is like oil for farmers, Devi Kunwar of Malarani Rural Municipality–5 said, stating that the moisture will help seeds germinate and improve production. He has planted wheat and mustard in the fields. But all is not well. The heavy snowfall, generated by a low-pressure system that developed in the Arabian Sea, caused more losses than the benefits to the people as it impacted larger parts of the country.  This weather pattern, as predicted by meteorologists, will remain active for a few days. 

The highland areas of districts including Gorkha, Solukhumbu, Jumla, Humla, Kalikot, Mustang Manang and Jajarkot were hit by the snow, while the low-lying areas of Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali districts experienced light to moderate rainfall, according to a news report of this daily. Meanwhile, the incessant rainfall has destroyed paddy crops, which were laid out in fields for drying, in Kalikot.  The heavy snow that began to fall on Monday morning has blanketed the Muktinath Temple in up to five inches of snow. Following the traffic stoppage on the Kagbeni-Muktinath road, pilgrims and tourists have been advised to remain sheltered. 

The people who enjoy hitting the road must take erratic weather patterns into account, for their slight negligence or lack of information can cause big inconvenience to them or even cost their lives. If the trekkers get stranded on a difficult route, it will be extremely difficult to rescue them on time owing to the unfavourable weather. On the other hand, floods, caused by the continuous rains, entered the hundreds of hectares of paddy fields in Gulmi and Palpa, damaging both harvested and standing paddy crops. In some places, the grains have sprouted early, while in other districts, paddy and straw left in the field have begun to decay. 

Authorities are urging citizens to exercise vigilance due to Cyclonic Storm Montha forming over the Bay of Bengal, which is projected to make landfall within two days, bringing substantial moisture. This meteorological phenomenon is expected to cause extensive rainfall nationwide from Thursday afternoon through Saturday morning. There is a reason to be more cautious as the cyclonic storm could significantly increase the water flow in the Bagmati, Kamala, Koshi, and Kankai rivers and their tributaries. This risks triggering flash floods in small brooks that wind through the Mahabharat and Chure regions of Koshi, Bagmati, and Madhes provinces. Given the ample cases of loss of lives and properties due to floods and landslides, the three-tier government must work in tandem to disseminate warning messages to the local people in time.