Lack of Rain!
In December 2023, forecasters anticipated above average rainfall for Nepal during the winter, but halfway through the season, many areas remain rainless for four months. The absence of rain is causing dryness in mountain terraces and plains, affecting winter wheat and snowfall in the Himalayas. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology recorded minimal rainfall, contradicting initial predictions. The trend of declining winter rainfall and rising temperatures aligns with global patterns noted in the 2023 IPCC report as evidenced in Nepal’s rivers running low due to reduced winter rainfall, impacting hydropower generation and necessitating electricity imports from India. The red dots indicate the many wildfires that have occurred in the Terai over the winter months due to lack of rain.