KATHMANDU: Although the monsoon is active across the country rainfall has been significantly below average.

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, an average of 149 millimeters of rainfall was measured across the country from June 1 to 25, which is 69.6 percent of the average rainfall (214 millimeters) for this period.

The department’s data states that rainfall was measured less than 90 percent of the daily average every day. Rainfall was very low especially in the early days of the month, while there has been some improvement in the last few days, though it is yet to reach normal conditions.

According to meteorologist David Dhakal, low rainfall is due to the late arrival of the monsoon in Nepal this year and its weak activity in the initial phase. However, the monsoon has not yet expanded across the country.

Meteorologist Dhakal said that the monsoon system, which has spread only to some areas of five provinces, is still weak and may take a few days to spread to the rest of the country.

Likewise, meteorologist at the DHM, Sudarshan Humagain, said there is a possibility of less than average rainfall in most parts of the country in the this year’s monsoon season. There is a 55 to 65 percent chance of less than average rainfall in the southern parts of Karnali Province, most areas of Lumbini Province, eastern parts of Madhes Province and southern parts of Koshi Province this year.