KATHMANDU, Dec 19: Cyclone Phethai that recently caused frigid weather across Nepal has now weakened into a ‘depression’ state and is dissipating rapidly. With this, the Meteorological Forecasting Division expects the cloudy skies to clear on Wednesday in most parts of the country.
The impact of the cyclonic storm was felt especially in the eastern and central regions of the country and some areas in the west. On Monday, Kathmandu Valley’s minimum temperature had reached 2.5 degrees Celsius – the lowest of this winter. Likewise, Jumla’s temperature had dipped to -6 degrees Celsius while Jiri and Jomsom also took the brunt.
But the intensity of the cyclone diminished after its landfall at India’s Andhra Pradesh. As a result, Tuesday’s weather across the country saw minor improvement despite being cloudy. Traces of rainfall were recorded in a few places including Biratnagar and Dharan on Tuesday.
Light rainfall likely in Bagmati, Koshi and Gandaki provinces
Kathmandu’s minimum temperature was 7 degrees Celsius Tuesday. The valley’s maximum temperature, however, remained somewhat constant at 16.2 degrees Celsius compared to Monday’s 16.4 degrees. Tuesday remained cloudy but the valley’s sky started clearing from the noon.
The clouds formed by the cyclone had entered Nepal from the east on Sunday. The MFD said it is now gradually making exit from the western part of the country.
“The eastern region will remain partly cloudy on Tuesday but skies would be clear in other areas,” informed meteorologist Sujan Subedi of the MFD. “As per our forecast, there will be no disturbance on the weather on Thursday,” he added.
The Indian Meteorology Department has forecast that the cyclone will fully weaken by Tuesday morning. Various Indian news agencies reported that the cyclone claimed two lives in Andhra Pradesh.
