KATHMANDU:- The arrival of the monsoon is likely to be delayed this time in Nepal, having already missed the tentative timeline for its entry. Even after the passage of three days compared to its entry date last year, the monsoon is yet to make its presence felt in the country.
According to Bibhuti Pokharel, Spokesperson at the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, June 13 is the tentative date for monsoon arrival in Nepal. However, based on data obtained from satellites and mathematical weather forecasting, the country is bound to wait for a few more days.
The primary cause behind this delay is the El Nino phenomenon developing in the Pacific Ocean, which is currently strengthening and likely to affect the monsoon onset.
Spokesperson Pokharel noted that the monsoon across South Asia, including in Nepal, may weaken due to this El Nino development. This is not unprecedented, as the monsoon was previously delayed in Nepal in the years 1972, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2009, 2016, 2019, and 2023.