Monsoon likely to Arrive this Weekend

Scenes like this one from our September 2014 shoe distribution are common during and after the summer monsoon season. Taken on the road from Kathmandu to Syprubesi, September 26, 2014. The summer monsoon season in Nepal usually spans between June 10 and September 23.

Nepal’s Meteorological Forecasting Division (MFD) based in Kathmandu, Nepal, is indicating that the summer monsoon will likely begin within the next few days.

An abundance of moisture in the air in the northeastern part of the country makes thunderstorms increasingly likely in the near future, causing concerns about further landslides. ¹ Already, landslides have been triggered by the incoming weather to the east of Kathmandu, causing casualties in rural Nepal. Just yesterday, heavy rains triggered a landslide in Taplejung that left dozens dead or missing. The Guardian notes that there is little government infrastructure in place to respond, with no government offices or police presence in the area. Helicopters are unable to respond at this time due to the weather. ²

For many villagers in rural Nepal, the rains inevitably cut-off major supply routes, often until the end of the season in late September.

Atmospheric condition [sic] is becoming favorable for monsoon onset in the eastern region. Monsoon onset date over Nepal will be declared once the condition is fully favorable.

According to the MFD, the monsoon usually enters Nepal from the east around June 10. They are predicting a later start this year based on the delayed onset in other regions. ³ The summer monsoon usually ends around September 23rd. ⁴