Rainfall Affects Highways and Schools: When Will the Weather Improve?
Image source, Nepal Photo Library
Authorities have reported that the ongoing rainfall across most parts of the country is significantly impacting daily life.
Due to the weather system developed over the Bay of Bengal, Nepal has experienced rainfall leading to the blockage of several highways. Considering potential risks, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has directed the closure of schools on Thursday and Friday.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has urged the public to avoid long-distance travel unless absolutely necessary.
Local administrations have also reported restrictions on nighttime vehicle movement on some highways.
According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, significant rainfall has occurred in many parts of the country over the last 12 hours, with some areas experiencing heavy downpours.
Impact on Education and Examinations
Image source, Nepal Photo Library
Meteorologists have attributed recent rainfall in Nepal to a low-pressure system developing over the Bay of Bengal. This late monsoon season rainfall has disrupted educational activities across many regions of the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture, spokesperson Shriprasad Bhattarai stated that, after risk assessments, schools have been instructed to close for two days.
“We have coordinated with local bodies to close schools on Thursday and Friday as needed,” he explained.
Examination bodies have also been advised to postpone exams scheduled from October 9 to 11 depending on the circumstances.
The ministry has urged local authorities to assist by using safe school buildings as temporary shelters if necessary.
Effects on Traffic Movement
Image source, RSS
Traffic movement has been disrupted due to blockages on various highways caused by rainfall.
According to the Disaster Response Coordination and Institutional Strengthening Division, some highways have been closed for one-way traffic, while others have had two-way traffic suspended.
On the Prithvi Highway, one-way vehicle movement is ongoing due to landslides in Dhadhing/Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality-7 Krishnabhir and landslides in Jyamireghat of the same municipality.
Similarly, landslides have affected the Mid-Hill Highway, Pasanglhamu Highway, Kalupande Highway, Trishuli-Mailung-Rasuwa Gadhi, and Mailung-Syafrubesi routes, disrupting traffic.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has advised vigilance and discouraged unnecessary long-distance travel.
People residing in areas prone to sudden floods and landslides have been warned to stay alert and take precautions.
Flood and Flash Flood Situation
The Center for Hydrology and Meteorology Research has extended the flood and flash flood forecast period.
Deputy Executive Director and spokesperson Rajan Bhattarai said that as of Wednesday, flood forecasts for some major rivers have been extended from three to five days.
For smaller rivers, flash flood warnings have been extended from 24 to 48 hours.
“As rainfall continues, this has been done to encourage people to remain safe and cautious,” Bhattarai explained.
Although river water levels have reached alert levels for landslide risk, there is currently no sign of them reaching severe warning levels.
“Rainfall is expected to increase today [Thursday] and tomorrow [Friday] before subsiding. Therefore, while it is important to stay vigilant regarding floods and flash floods, there is no need for extreme alarm,” he added.
What to Expect in the Next 24 Hours?
Thursday afternoon is forecast to bring rainfall from Koshi to Lumbini regions, with the possibility of heavy rainfall in parts of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces by evening.
Moderate rain or snowfall with thunder and lightning is also predicted in hilly and mountainous areas of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, with similar conditions expected in some parts of Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces.
Many places in the Madhesh province and Terai region are also likely to see thunder and moderate rainfall.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is possible in some locations within Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces. Gale-force winds are also expected in some Terai areas within Madhesh and Koshi provinces.
Experts categorize rainfall over 24 hours as ‘heavy’ if 50 to 99.99 millimeters are recorded, ‘very heavy’ if 100 to 199.99 millimeters are recorded, and ‘extremely heavy’ if rainfall exceeds 200 millimeters.
Cloud cover is expected to blanket most parts of the country Thursday night, according to the Meteorological Division.
Moderate rainfall or snowfall with thunder is forecast for hilly and mountainous areas in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, with similar conditions in some parts of Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces.
Moderate rain with thunder is expected in most Terai areas of Madhesh, Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, and some locations in Sudurpashchim province.
Heavy to extremely heavy rain is anticipated in some areas of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini, while strong winds are expected in parts of Madhesh province.
Currently, both the monsoon and westerly winds partially influence the weather throughout the country.
A deep low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is moving northwestward from areas near Vishakhapatnam, Gopalpur, and Kalingapatnam in India, passing along northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha coasts.
This system is expected to maintain its intensity initially while moving northwest, but gradually weaken over the next 24 hours, according to meteorologist Dhakal.
“We expect weather improvement especially around Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati regions starting Sunday. If the system moves quickly, the improvement could come sooner,” said Dhakal.
In the past 24 hours, the highest rainfall recorded was 164 millimeters at Baldyangadhi in Palpa.