Today Weather: Nepal Faces Rain, Snowfall, and Windstorms
The impact of climate change is being felt across Nepal, with the recent floods causing widespread destruction and highlighting the need for localized response and preparedness, as well as increased funding and attention to climate-related disasters to support the country's resilience efforts.
Nepal is expected to experience partly to mostly cloudy conditions, light to moderate rain, and thunderstorms due to westerly and local winds and moisture from the Arabian Sea, with rain and snowfall expected in hilly and mountainous regions.
The Meteorological Forecasting Division reports that the country is under the influence of a westerly system and local winds, with moisture-laden air from the Arabian Sea, leading to light rain and snowfall in high-altitude regions, while some areas may experience windstorms. Kathmandu and its surrounding regions are expected to experience partly to generally cloudy conditions, with light to moderate rain likely in some hilly areas.
The country is still recovering from the devastating 2015 earthquake and has been hit by record rains that have destroyed homes, roads, and infrastructure, causing widespread flooding, landslides, and power outages. The government's resilience efforts have been hindered by funding cuts and climate change, making it harder to prepare for disasters.
The recent floods have highlighted the importance of local response and preparedness, with the Nepal Red Cross Society's crisis management director, Sagar Shrestha, emphasizing that the more localized the response, the better. However, the lack of international attention and funding for climate disasters has made it harder for the country to recover.
The country's ability to recover from the recent floods will depend on its ability to adapt to the changing climate and prioritize resilience, addressing the issues of complacency, inadequate policies, and infrastructure that is not equipped to handle the frequency and magnitude of disasters.