There was consistent rainfall across the western and central regions and snowfall in the mid-western and eastern regions starting Tuesday night. Interestingly, experts at the Meteorological Forecasting Division (MFD) suggest that this is, however, not the end of winter rains.[break]
In the Kathmandu Valley, the maximum temperature dipped from Tuesday´s 25.5 degree Celsius to 25.7 degree Celsius Wednesday. But the rain caused a 6-degree increase in the minimum temperature with 9.5 degree Celsius recorded Wednesday as compared to Tuesday´s 3.5 degree Celsius. The gloomy weather had a visible effect - the streets and markets remained less crowded.
Rajendra Shrestha, a senior meteorologist at MFD, said the adverse weather condition is due to the western disturbance. “It is due to western disturbance. This originates over the Mediterranean Sea and moves eastward,” he said. According to Shrestha, the country is likely to witness rains and snow once again though the current weather condition might improve by Thursday.
Meanwhile, our correspondent Tek Narayan Bhattarai from Palpa reports that 58-year-old Khima Gaire of Khyaha-1 died after being struck by lightning on Wednesday morning. Similarly, three others have been admitted to Tansen Mission Hospital after they were struck by lightning.
Likewise, our correspondent Kamal Thapa from Rukum reported heavy snowfall throughout Tuesday night till Wednesday in Rukum, Rolpa, Jajarkot and Dolpa districts, among other high-altitude regions in the mid-west.
With transportation coming to a halt and schools and health centers shut down, normal life has been badly affected. Elderly, children and babies and mothers are the hardest hit. The rain and snowfall have severely damaged the seasonal crops as well.
Likewise, according to our correspondent Janak KC, several villages in Jajarkot including Dinga, Pokhara, Ramidanda, Nayakwala, Sakla, Pajaru and Archani in the district headquarters witnessed consistent rainfall and snow on Wednesday. Borekot area received snowfall up to 3 feet.
Talking to Republica, District Education Officer Girman Thapa said schools would not resume until the weather improves. While normal life has been crippled due to the dipping temperature, this, however, has pleased the peasants. A farmer Shati Bahadur calculated that the rains might be favorable for the wheat crops.
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