Below-average winter rainfall predicted

Kathmandu, Jan 4: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted that rainfall this winter season would be below average. 

As per the estimation, rainfall would be below the average from January 1 to February 28 across the country. Information Officer at the Department, Dinakar Kayastha, shared that the below-average rainfall had occurred in last December and below-average rainfall would be witnessed in coming days as well. 

He added that Sudurpaschim province, north part of Karnali province and northwestern part of Gandaki province would witness below-average rainfall, average rainfall and above- average rainfall respectively. 

Central parts of Sudurpaschim province, southern part of Karnali, Lumbini and Gandaki Provinces, most of the parts of Bagmati Province, central part of Madhes province and western part of Koshi province  will witness below-average rainfall (with 55-65 per cent chance).

Kayastha mentioned that below-average rainfall is predicted in south-western part of Sudurpaschim province, northern part of Lumbini province, central part of Gandaki province, central part of Bagmati province, eastern and western part of Madhesh province and central and south part of Koshi province (with 45-55 per cent chance). 

As per the estimation, the remaining parts of the country would also witness below-average rainfall (with 35-45 per cent chance).

According to preliminary data received so far, below-average rainfall was recorded across the country in last December. 

The Department said this assessment was prepared based on climate model assessments of the World Meteorological Organisation's global and regional climate information production centres. 

It was also prepared taking into account the current situation of El Nino phenomenon developing in Eastern Pacific-ocean, which affects Nepal's winter climate, and Indian Ocean Dipole developing in the Indian Ocean, he added. (RSS)