Thunderstorm and rain likely in western Nepal today, caution urged

Kathmandu. Rainfall with thunder and lightning is forecast from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning. Strong winds are likely to blow in Lumbini and Koshi provinces. Meteorologists have advised to take precaution and not to go out of the house unless absolutely necessary.

According to a press release issued by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology at 6:00 am today, the weather is generally cloudy in Sudurpaschim, Karnali, Lumbini and Koshi provinces. Light rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is taking place at one or two places of Sudurpaschim, Karnali and Koshi provinces.

However, there are chances of heavy rain and snowfall at one or two places of the hilly and mountainous regions of Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces from Friday afternoon. Likewise, thunderstorms are likely to occur in the surrounding districts of Tarai region of Lumbini Province along with Dang and Nepalgunj from Friday and in Biratnagar, Dhankuta and Dharan surrounding areas of Koshi Province on Saturday. The wind speed is expected to be around 119 kilometers per hour.

Therefore, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has issued a press release urging people to remain alert as there is the possibility of intense wind, rain and snowfall in different parts of the country with cloudy weather. According to NEA, there is a risk of trees falling down, weak structures and roofs blown off, and power and communication services will be affected due to the strong storm.

The Authority has urged the people living and traveling in the risky areas to adopt special alertness as many people have lost their lives and injured due to the storm incidents in the last few days.

The NRA has urged the people not to go out on a journey without doing special work, to close the windows and doors of the houses properly during the storm, to shut off the sources of fire, to stay in a safe place by stopping the vehicle if they are driving, not to panic in the crowd and to move slowly to a safe place without rushing.

The authority has also requested the people not to stay under weak structures, tall trees, telephone poles and wires during the storm, not to touch the electric wires if they are hanging from them, not to operate electrical appliances and not to stay in risky places.