Kathmandu receives season's soft winter rains

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Jan. 29: After a long wait, the Valley received winter rain on Wednesday, accompanied by thunderstorms, as a western low-pressure system brought hazy conditions and light afternoon rainfall, affecting road and air transport.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), some parts of Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces received light to moderate rainfall, while the high mountainous areas received snowfall.

Bibhuti Pokharel, a meteorologist at the Division, said that the western disturbance is moving faster to the north-east part and is likely to clear from western part of the country on Thursday. 

“The highest rainfall on Wednesday was recorded at Khanikhola in Surkhet district, measuring 43 mm in the 24 hours until Wednesday afternoon. The system is moving towards the north-east, and there is only a slight chance of further rainfall in the region. The weather system is expected to clear from Thursday,” Pokharel said.

David Dhakal, another meteorologist at the Division, said this was the first winter rainfall of the year and that the light rain would help reduce some of the pollution lingering over the Valley. 

Within the Valley, Tikathali recorded the highest rainfall at 4.8 mm in three hours. This was followed by Thatali with 3.4 mm, Sankhu and Babarmahal with 2.4 mm each, and Naikap and Kirtipur with 2 mm each. Godabari recorded 1.8 mm, Lele 1.6 mm, and Panipokhari and Kapan 1.4 mm each during the three-hour period on Wednesday.

Similarly, several high mountain districts of Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, including Humla, Mugu, Dolpa, Jumla, and parts of Mustang experienced heavy snowfall, with snow piled up in some areas and roads blocked. Snow was also reported in highland areas of Bajhang, Bajura, Doti, Dadeldhura and Baitadi, affecting daily life and transport. 

Meanwhile, the Mid-Hill Highway has been completely blocked due to heavy snowfall accompanied by rainfall since last Tuesday night.    

The Highway was obstructed by thick snow accumulation at Patihalne area, the junction of Baglung and Rukum (East) districts. With the Highway obstructed, hundreds of passengers have been stranded, said Inspector Tilak Manandhar, also Chief of Area Police Office, Burtibang.     

In Mustang, the Muktinath Temple, a major pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists, was buried under nearly one-and-a-half feet of snow. 

Continuous snowfall since Monday night covered the temple complex, surrounding trails and nearby settlements. Pilgrims and tourists travelling to Muktinath have been stranded in Ranipauwa, as access routes have become unsafe.

According to the Mustang District Police Office, snowfall has made pedestrian movement difficult around the temple area, prompting authorities to advise visitors to remain in Ranipauwa until conditions improve. 

Vehicular movement beyond the Kagbeni-Muktinath road section has also been halted due to poor weather. The snowfall has fully covered the temple’s 108 waterspouts, ponds and surrounding religious structures. Meanwhile, the Kagbeni-Lo Manthang-Korala Road has been completely blocked.

In Dadeldhura, two rounds of snowfall were recorded within a week following the season’s first winter rainfall. Meteorological officials said 24 mm of rainfall was recorded between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, with temperatures expected to drop to zero degrees Celsius.

In Bajura, continuous heavy snowfall over several days has severely affected daily life. Locals reported difficulties in grazing livestock and moving outdoors due to thick snow cover. “Winter is already harsh here, and snowfall since Friday has made life even harder,” said Chin Bahadur Rawal of Himali Rural Municipality-6. 

However, farmers said the snowfall has benefited winter crops. Political parties have also been forced to suspend election campaigning in snow-covered settlements.

Heavy snowfall was also reported in Manang, covering villages such as Khangsar, Manang village, Tanki Manang, Ghyaru and Ngawal. Authorities have temporarily stopped tourists from crossing the Thorong La Pass as a precaution. In neighbouring Lamjung, rainfall after a long dry spell has brought relief to worried farmers.

Meanwhile, snowfall has blocked the Nagma-Gamgadhi Road section in Mugu, stranding vehicles and passenger’s mid-route. Thick snow accumulation at several points has disrupted transport to and from the district.

Authorities have urged travellers to remain cautious, as further snowfall could trigger weather-related hazards in the high Himalayan region.