- Cyclone Arnab is expected to bring heavy rain, winds, and mountain snowfall across Nepal from Thursday through Saturday, impacting five major provinces.
- Farmers are urged to expedite paddy harvesting and store crops securely to prevent damage from unseasonal rainfall and potential rotting.
- Authorities advise pausing high-altitude treks and expeditions due to blizzard conditions, avalanche risks, and near-zero visibility in the Himalayas.
- Heavy rainfall increases landslide and flash flood risks, likely disrupting domestic air travel and long-distance bus routes across affected regions.
Kathmandu, Nepal: Rains, strong winds, and heavy high-altitude snowfall are set to lash large parts of Nepal starting Thursday as Cyclone Arnab pushes inland from the Bay of Bengal.
In a special weather bulletin, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology warned that the storm system will sweep across the country between October 29 and 31. The cyclone, currently tracking northwest toward India's Andhra Pradesh coast, is expected to make landfall around October 28 before channeling tropical moisture directly toward the Himalayas.
Conditions across Nepal will deteriorate Thursday morning, with the heaviest rainfall and mountain weather expected on Friday and Saturday.
Five Provinces on Alert for Heavy Rains
Forecasters expect widespread rainfall across Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces.
Through Friday and Saturday, many areas in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki face moderate to heavy downpours accompanied by lightning and severe wind gusts. Lumbini Province is also in line for significant rain, while isolated downpours could hit Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces further west.
Exact rainfall totals will depend on how rapidly the system weakens after moving over land, but officials urge communities in low-lying and flood-prone areas to prepare early.
Race to Save Paddy Harvests
The timing of the storm poses an immediate threat to Nepal’s agricultural sector. Ripe paddy crops across the central and eastern regions are currently awaiting harvest, while vast quantities of cut grain remain laid out in fields to dry.
Agricultural officials are urging farmers to expedite harvesting where possible and move gathered grain into dry, elevated storage before Thursday. Unseasonal, heavy rain at this stage of the season risks destroying standing crops and rotting harvested rice.
Danger on Mountain Trails
High-altitude districts in the Himalayan range face heavy snowfall, blizzard conditions, and a sharp rise in avalanche risk over the weekend.
Authorities are advising trekking agencies, tourists, and local guides to pause high-altitude treks and refrain from crossing high passes while the storm passes. Strong winds and heavy snow will bring near-zero visibility and obscure mountain trails, creating hazardous conditions for hikers. Expedition teams currently on the trails have been urged to remain in secure villages or lodges until the system clears.
Landslide Risks and Transport Delays
Heavy rainfall on already unstable hillsides increases the likelihood of landslides and flash floods, threatening highway transport and rural infrastructure. Domestic air traffic and long-distance bus routes across affected provinces are expected to see delays and cancellations through Saturday.
Weather conditions are expected to gradually improve late Saturday night as the storm system dissipates.
