- Saturday, 27 December 2025
Kathmandu, Oct 3: The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has urged the public to avoid long-distance travel, unless in an emergency, for the next four days beginning today, in five provinces: Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini.
According to NDRRMA spokesperson Shanti Mahat, the urge follows a weather forecast from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology predicting moderate to very heavy rainfall in various districts from October 3 to 6. The downpour is expected due to a monsoon trough shifting from the Bay of Bengal towards Nepal.
The NDRRMA warned that the rainfall may trigger floods and landslides, especially in hilly and low-lying areas. Water levels in major rivers such as the Bagmati, Kamala, and Koshi are expected to rise significantly, potentially reaching dangerous levels.
The authority highlighted risks of seasonal floods in small rivers across several districts, including: Kathmandu Valley, Kavrepalanchowk, Sindhupalchowk, Rasuwa, Makawanpur, and Chitwan of Bagamati Province; Sankhuwasabha, Taplejung, Ilam, Jhapa, and Morang of Koshi Province; and Bara, Parsa, Sarlahi, Rautahat, and surrounding areas of Madhesh Province.
The NDRRMA has advised the public to avoid long-distance and night-time travel unless absolutely necessary. District Disaster Management Committees have been urged to assess local road conditions and consider restricting vehicle movement if required.
Residents near riverbanks have been asked to remain alert and identify safer, higher ground in case evacuation becomes necessary. The authority has also called on security agencies, local governments, volunteers, and relevant organizations to be on standby for emergency response. This includes ensuring that heavy machinery such as dozers, excavators, and loaders is ready for deployment on vulnerable roads and highways.
Meanwhile, the District Administration Office in Lalitpur echoed these warnings, urging the public to avoid travel in the five provinces during the advisory period. It also flagged potential risks of flash floods, landslides, and road damage particularly along the Kanti Highway and routes connecting Bagamati and Konjyosom rural municipalities.
Residents in high-risk areas have been asked to take extra precautions, while local authorities and security bodies have been directed to prepare for possible disaster response and mitigation efforts.
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Home Minister directs for effective disaster management
Kathmandu, Oct 3: Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has directed concerned authorities to ensure disaster management efforts are both effective and people-centered.
The directive was issued during a virtual meeting on Thursday, focused on monsoon-related disaster preparedness. The meeting was held in response to forecasts of moderate to very heavy rainfall expected between October 3 and 6 across five provinces: Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini.
Minister Aryal also underscored the importance of maintaining good governance and ensuring uninterrupted public services, even during times of disaster.
The meeting was attended by Home Secretary Rameshwar Dangal, senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and representatives from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).
Also joining the virtual discussion were the chiefs and disaster focal persons from all four security agencies, Chief District Officers from all 77 districts, and members of District Security Committees.
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Country experiences influence of both monsoon and local winds
Kathmandu, Oct 3: The weather across the country is presently influenced by both monsoon and local winds.
According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the weather will remain generally cloudy across the country today, with chances of moderate rainfall in some hilly and Terai regions of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, as well as in a few places in the hilly and Terai regions of Madhesh Province.
Likewise, heavy rainfall is expected at one or two places in the hilly areas of Karnali and Bagmati provinces, and in the Terai region of Lumbini Province.
Tonight, the weather will also remain generally cloudy across the country. Moderate rainfall is likely in the hilly areas of Koshi, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, in a few places of the Terai region, in Madhesh Province, and in the remaining provinces.
In view of the forecast for heavy rainfall at one or two places in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Lumbini, and Gandaki provinces, the public have been urged to take necessary precautions against potential risks from the rain.
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Vehicular movement restricted at night on roads connecting Hetauda and Kathmandu
Bagamati, Oct 3: Vehicular movement has been restricted at night on two major roads between Hetauda and Kathmandu till October 6, starting tonight (October 3), due to forecasts of heavy rain.
According to Makawanpur’s Chief District Officer, Scheme Shrestha, vehicles will not be allowed to move through the Kanti Highway from 4:00 pm to 6:00 am and on the Hetauda–Bhaise–Kathmandu road from 5:00 pm to 6:00 am. These restrictions will remain in place until October 6.
The decision was made based on rainfall predictions from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, citing the influence of local and monsoon winds.
The CDO has urged the public to avoid long-distance or night travel unless it’s an emergency, and to stay alert for possible rain-related risks.
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Cargo containers stuck at Mustang Customs
Mustang, Oct 3: Eighteen cargo trucks belonging to the Sino Hydro Power Company have remained stuck near the Mustang Customs Office since Tuesday. Although the containers have already gone through customs clearance, they are unable to pass through due to the lack of a road diversion at the Ghami River in Lo-Ghekhar Damodarkunda rural municipality-2.
The Ghami River lies along the Jomsom–Korala road section, and since there is no diversion facility, the 10-wheeled trucks carrying construction materials imported from China have not been able to pass through.
Mustang’s Chief District Officer Bishnu Prasad Bhusal said the temporary bridge currently in use is unable to resist the weight of the heavy trucks. He added that a new diversion will be built after the Dashain festival, in coordination with the Sino Hydro Power Project and other stakeholders, to resolve the issue.
Rural Municipality Chairperson Lopsang Chhompel Bista said that although the Korala border point with China is now fully operational, the lack of diversion at the Ghami River remains a major obstacle for transporting goods.
The construction of a 40-meter single-span permanent bridge over the river started seven years ago but is still incomplete. The project, contracted in 2018 with a budget of Rs 68 million, was awarded to Himdung & Thokar Construction (P.) Ltd. So far, it reports only about 75 percent of the physical progress.
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Monsoon withdrawal expected to be delayed this year
Kathmandu, Oct 3: The monsoon, which arrived in Nepal on May 28 and spread across the country by June 20, is likely to be prolonged this year.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the monsoon became active again from October 2 (Thursday), even though it was in its late phase. Senior meteorologist Min Kumar Aryal said that although June 13 is the tentative date for the monsoon’s arrival in Nepal, this year it arrived 15 days earlier. Similarly, its withdrawal is also likely to be delayed.
Due to the influence of the monsoon, local winds, and the monsoon trough developed in the Bay of Bengal, very heavy rains are expected over the next few days, starting this afternoon.
A downpour has been forecast for Saturday and Sunday, and the weather is expected to improve from Monday. “After that, the impact of the westerly winds will determine the situation and an exit time of the monsoon,” Aryal added.
This year, the monsoon entered Nepal from the eastern part and spread nationwide by June 20.
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