People advised to stay alert against possible natural disasters

The Meteorological Forecasting Division has predicted moderate to heavy rainfall throughout the country over the next three days.

"The axis of monsoon trough is now located close to the southern part of the country, which has been partially affected by the low-pressure area over Orissa and Andhra Pradesh of India," read a weather forecast bulletin released by the MFD today. It said the monsoon rain with thunder and lightning was likely to lash some parts of all seven provinces in the next 24 hours.

The MFD warned that heavy rainfall could trigger increased water levels in many rivers, leading to inundation and landslides. It also advised all to maintain high alert against the possibility of natural disasters such as floods, landslides, soil erosion and debris flow.

Flood Forecasting Section under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said there was risk of rise in water level in Koshi, Narayani, Karnali, Mahakali, Kankai, Kamala, Bagmati, Eastern Rapti, Western Rapti and Babai, and their tributaries. However, it said the water level in major rivers would remain below the danger mark.

The DHM issues a flood forecast bulletin at 7:00am everyday during the monsoon season.

Under special circumstances, it may circulate the warning at anytime. The flood and weather forecast is provided to the National Emergency Operation Centre under the Ministry of Home Affairs before publishing it on the website, it said.

The forecast is provided to all the ministries, departments, Nepal Red Cross Society and organisations working for disaster risk management, besides publishing it on social media.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 30, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.