Cyclone Arnab: Cyclone Arnab has entered India’s eastern coast, bringing heavy rain and widespread damage to Andhra Pradesh. The storm hit the coast early Wednesday morning, uprooting trees and power poles, damaging roads, and triggering torrential rainfall.
Some areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have recorded up to 50 mm of rain. Now, the weather system is expected to affect Nepal, where several days of rain, thunderstorms, and snowfall are forecast from October 29.
According to the latest bulletin issued by the Nepal Meteorological Department’s Weather Forecasting Division, Nepal is expected to come under the influence of Cyclone “Arnab,” which is developing over the Bay of Bengal, from Thursday.
The department said westerly winds are currently having a limited influence on Nepal. However, the approaching cyclone could bring heavy rain and snowfall to several parts of the country through the end of the week.
The department stated, “The country is currently under the partial influence of westerly winds. In addition, the country is expected to come under the influence of Cyclone ‘Arnab’, developed over the Bay of Bengal, from Kartik 12 (Thursday).”
Several Provinces On Alert for Heavy Rain, Snowfall
Rain and snowfall are expected to affect different parts of Nepal over the next few days. Himalayan areas may receive light to moderate snowfall, while lower elevations of Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati provinces could see light to moderate rain.
Conditions may worsen on Thursday night, when thunderstorms and lightning are likely to accompany the rain and snowfall. The impact is expected to be strongest on Friday and Saturday, with some areas facing the risk of heavy or very heavy precipitation.
Light to moderate rain or snowfall with thunder and lightning is expected across most parts of Nepal on Friday. Heavy rain or snowfall may occur in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini Provinces.
Weather Expected to Improve by Sunday
Conditions are forecast to gradually improve by Sunday, although some areas may continue to experience light rain or snowfall.
The department’s forecast said, “Partly cloudy throughout the country. Light rain or snowfall is possible at one or two places in the Himalayan and Hilly regions of the country. Mist or fog is likely at some places in the Terai region during the morning hours.”
With the approaching cyclone and westerly winds influencing weather conditions, Nepal could experience several days of increased cloud cover and precipitation, particularly in the central and eastern regions and at higher elevations.
People living in flood-prone areas of the Terai, landslide-prone hills, and high-altitude regions are advised to stay alert as the weather system moves across the country. The Nepal Meteorological Department is monitoring the situation and is expected to issue further updates as needed.
Meanwhile, the cyclone has already caused deaths in India. At least five people were killed in incidents related to Cyclone Arnab in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday.