KATHMANDU: The arrival of the monsoon in Nepal is expected to be delayed by a few days.

Even though it is already three days later than last year’s arrival date, the monsoon has not yet entered the country.

Bibhuti Pokharel, spokesperson for the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, informed that while the average date for the onset of the monsoon in Nepal is June 13, it will take a few more days this year.

Meteorologist Pokharel added that, based on the analysis of satellite data and numerical weather prediction models, there is a likelihood that the start of the monsoon in Nepal will be delayed by a couple of days.

Currently, light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunder is occurring in Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, as well as in the hilly and mountainous regions of Nepal.

“Currently, El Niño has developed in the Pacific Ocean and is continuing to strengthen. This is also affecting the arrival of the monsoon in Nepal, and there is a possibility that the monsoon could be weaker across South Asia, including Nepal,” she said.

In the past, the arrival of the monsoon was also delayed in the years 1972, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2009, 2016, 2019, and 2023.