KATHMANDU: The monsoon low pressure area has moved closer to eastern Nepal. Due to its impact, districts from Koshi to Lumbini provinces are expected to receive more rain than the previous day.

Meteorologists have said that there is a possibility of light to moderate rain even in the drought-hit Madhesh province.

According to meteorologist Binu Maharjan of the Weather Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, there is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall in the eastern part of Madhesh Province tonight and across the entire Madhesh Province tomorrow night.

The government has declared the districts of Madhesh Province as drought-hit areas due to the prolonged lack of rain even during the monsoon season . Due to the lack of rain, paddy has not been sown in most of the fields. The fields that have been sown are also suffering from water shortage. There is a water shortage in Madhesh as drinking water sources have also started drying up.

Rain today and tomorrow is likely to provide some relief from the drought. However, meteorologists say it is difficult to predict how much rain will fall.

According to meteorologist Maharjan, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain in the districts of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces today and tomorrow. There is also a possibility of heavy rain in one or two places in the hilly areas of these provinces, said meteorologist Maharjan.

Heavy rainfall was also recorded last night at rain gauge stations including Manebhanjyang in Okhaldhunga, Sindhulimadi in Sindhuli, Panchase in Parbat, and Arghakhanchi.

Moderate risk of flooding in 36 districts including Kathmandu Valley As the monsoon low pressure line begins to move closer to Nepal, the Flood Forecasting Division has issued a notice stating that there is a moderate risk of flooding in 36 districts, including the Kathmandu Valley.

According to the division, the flow of small rivers flowing through Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces may increase suddenly.

The division has issued a warning that the flow of small rivers flowing through Taplejung, Solukhumbu, Sankhuwasabha, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Sindhupalchowk, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and surrounding districts will increase significantly and flash floods may occur.

Similarly, there is a moderate risk of flooding in Ilam, Jhapa, Panchthar, Tehrathum, Bhojpur, Okhaldhunga, Khotang, Sindhuli, Makawanpur, Tanahun, Kaski, Syangja, and Parbat districts.

Other districts with a moderate risk of flooding include Lamjung, Dang, Bardiya, Salyan, Surkhet, Dailekh, Achham, Bajhang, Jajarkot, Kalikot, Bajura, Kailali, Kanchanpur, and Darchula.

The department has issued a notice asking people to be vigilant in flood-prone areas.