The southwest monsoon has now spread across all districts of Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati provinces, along with parts of Gandaki and eastern Lumbini Province, according to Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.

Weather officials said the remaining areas of Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, as well as the entirety of Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces, are expected to come under the influence of the monsoon within the next four to five days.

At present, the country’s hilly and mountainous regions are generally experiencing cloudy conditions, while the Tarai plains remain partly cloudy. Light rain accompanied by thunder and lightning has already been reported in isolated areas of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces.

For Saturday afternoon, the department forecasts generally cloudy skies over the country’s hilly and mountainous regions, as well as across Madhesh Province and the Tarai districts of Koshi Province.

Moderate rainfall is likely at several locations in the hills and mountains of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, while isolated areas in the mountainous regions of Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces could also receive moderate rain. Higher Himalayan areas may experience light snowfall.

Thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are also expected in parts of the Tarai districts of Koshi and Madhesh provinces, along with isolated locations in the southern plains of Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces.

Meanwhile, authorities have warned that hot winds are likely to persist in parts of the Tarai regions of Lumbini and Sudurpashchim provinces. Residents in these areas have been advised to take necessary precautions against heat-related health risks.

During the night, weather conditions are expected to remain generally cloudy across Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, while Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces will experience partly cloudy skies.

Forecasters say thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are likely to continue in several hilly and mountainous areas of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, as well as isolated locations in the higher elevations of Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim. Light snowfall is also possible in the high Himalayan region.

Moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is also forecast for parts of the Tarai in Koshi and Madhesh provinces, several areas of the Tarai in Bagmati and Gandaki, and isolated locations in the plains of Lumbini and Sudurpashchim provinces.

The Meteorological Forecasting Division has also warned that one or two locations in the hills and Tarai of Koshi Province could receive heavy rainfall overnight. Residents living in flood- and landslide-prone areas have been urged to remain alert as localized heavy rain may increase the risk of flash floods, landslides, and waterlogging.