Over 226,000 Citizens Expected to be Affected by Monsoon

Kathmandu. This time, during the monsoon, more than 226,000 citizens are estimated to be affected. The Monsoon Preparedness and Response National Action Plan, recently approved by the Executive Committee for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, estimates that approximately 51,868 households, comprising 226,661 people, will be affected across the country.

The action plan states, "The forecast for this year's monsoon appears similar to the monsoon weather of 2014, 2016, and 2022. Overall, during this year's monsoon period, it is estimated that approximately 51,868 households, with a population of 226,661, will be affected by monsoon-induced disasters nationwide."

Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, informed that between one thousand to four thousand households are expected to be directly affected.

This is equivalent to about 10 percent of the worst-case scenario. Disaster risk assessments have been conducted by analyzing provinces to facilitate disaster preparedness at the provincial and local levels, she said.

The action plan mentions that although the possibility of below-average rainfall across the country during this year's monsoon season is less compared to the past, the estimated increase in average temperature could lead to a higher risk of monsoon-induced disasters such as glacial lake outburst floods in some high Himalayan regions affecting lower downstream areas with floods, landslides, inundation, and erosion, as well as flash floods.

Similarly, spokesperson Mahat also stated that the increased possibility of daily temperature rise during the said period is estimated to affect the general public in the southern Terai plains of the country with extreme heat or heatwaves (Loo).

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology had previously publicized its assessment that most parts of the country are expected to receive below-average rainfall during the monsoon season. During this monsoon, there is a 55 to 65 percent chance of below-average rainfall in the southern parts of Karnali Province, most parts of Lumbini Province, the eastern parts of Madhesh Province, and the southern parts of Koshi Province.

Similarly, there is a 45 to 55 percent chance of below-average rainfall in most parts of Sudurpaschim Province, the western parts of Madhesh Province, and the central parts of Koshi Province. Likewise, there is a 35 to 45 percent chance of average rainfall in the northern parts of Karnali Province and the northern parts of Koshi Province, while there is a 35 to 45 percent chance of below-average rainfall in the remaining parts of the country. Based on this, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has prepared and implemented the action plan by assessing the condition of disaster-affected areas nationwide.