Cyclone ‘Montha’ triggers rain & snow across Nepal, weather to improve tonight

KATHMANDU: The cyclone ‘Montha’, developed over the Bay of Bengal, has now weakened into a low-pressure system over central India, with its combined effect — along with a western disturbance and another low-pressure system over the Arabian Sea — influencing Nepal’s weather, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division (MFD).

Due to this dual system, most parts of the country remain affected, though gradual improvement in weather conditions is expected from tonight.

Currently, skies are generally to mostly cloudy across Nepal.

Light to moderate rainfall is occurring at many places in Koshi, Bagmati, and Lumbini provinces; at some places in Gandaki Province; and at a few places in Madhesh and Karnali provinces.

Afternoon Forecast

• Cloud Cover: Complete cloudiness is expected in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, while partial cloudiness is likely elsewhere.

• Rainfall: Moderate rainfall is likely at many places in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces.

• Heavy Rainfall: Heavy rain is likely at a few places in Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati provinces, and at one or two places in Lumbini Province.

• Snowfall: Moderate snowfall is expected at several places in the high hills and mountainous regions of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, and at a few places in other high-mountain regions. Heavy snowfall is also likely at one or two places in the high mountains of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces.

Night Forecast

• Rainfall: Moderate rain is likely at many places in Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati provinces, and at a few places in Gandaki and Lumbini provinces.

• Heavy Rainfall: Heavy rain is possible at a few places in Koshi and Madhesh provinces and at one or two places in Bagmati Province.

• Snowfall: Snowfall will continue in high mountain areas, with heavy snowfall likely at one or two places in the high mountainous regions of Koshi and Bagmati provinces.

The MFD has warned that heavy rainfall and snowfall in the high hills and mountain regions of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, and heavy rain in parts of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, and Lumbini provinces, could impact daily life, mountaineering, agriculture, tourism, and road and air transport.

The division has advised the public, farmers, and travelers to exercise caution as heavy rain and snowfall may disrupt normal life and travel.

According to the MFD, the combined influence of Cyclone ‘Monntha’ and the low-pressure systems has caused widespread rainfall and cloudy conditions across most parts of Nepal. However, the weather is expected to gradually improve starting tonight.