Department Warns of Increased Disaster Risk Despite Weaker Monsoon

Kathmandu. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has urged high alertness as the risk of disaster may increase further despite predictions that this year's monsoon will be weaker and rainfall will be less.

The department has warned that one should not be complacent just because the monsoon is weaker, as local systems can develop in such conditions, leading to greater devastation and danger. Meteorologists say that one should not be happy thinking it will rain less this monsoon or that nothing will happen this year.

Explaining the weather system, the department stated that normally, if the monsoon winds come uniformly, there will be widespread rainfall across the country. However, if the wind stops midway and arrives all at once after 6-7 days, the atmospheric temperature will have already increased.

In such a situation, local winds become more active, causing heavy rainfall in a short period with thunderstorms. This type of weather develops during weak monsoons or when local winds are active.

Local winds do not necessarily lack moisture, but that moisture becomes concentrated or converges in one place. This leads to the development of local systems, with dark clouds swirling in the sky, creating weather similar to the pre-monsoon season of Chaitra, Baishakh, and Jestha.

At that time, instead of uniform rainfall across the country, there will be fragmented rainfall, i.e., 'khandavrishti' (localized heavy rainfall). When clouds concentrate in a specific limited area and cause heavy rainfall, there is a risk of major landslides and severe floods. Such a situation poses a risk of washing away settlements along riverbanks in unexpected ways.

Considering this type of environmental risk, the department has advised the government and concerned bodies to maintain flood and landslide preparedness and response plans as they are. It has been urged not to underestimate the rainfall this year or to be complacent.

It appears that preparedness teams need to be even more vigilant and alert to take immediate action during times of disaster. The department's suggestion is to identify potential risk areas in the country and concentrate rescue teams and shelters more in such areas.