Government of Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Department of Hydrology and Meteorology Climate Division (Climate Analysis Section) Babarmahal, Kathmandu

February 17, 2021 Preliminary Precipitation Summary Monsoon Season (June-September), 2020 Highlight Monsoon entered in Nepal on 12th June and withdrew from Nepal on 16th October this year. The normal monsoon onset and withdrawal date in Nepal is 10th June and 23rd September respectively. This year, monsoon remained quite active. Eight stations broke historical record of the highest monsoon season precipitation (Table 1) Normal to above normal precipitation was observed over most parts however below normal precipitation was recorded over isolated parts of western and eastern parts of the country. This summary is prepared based on the total precipitation received during monsoon season (June to September) of 2020 at 61 meteorological stations. It is also expressed as percentage of normal precipitation. The normal precipitation is computed for the period of 1981-2010. The analysis shows few areas of west central parts of province-1, south eastern part of , south western parts of , central parts of Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces received below normal precipitation whereas remaining parts of the country received normal to above normal precipitation (Figure 1). , most parts of province-2 and large parts of province-1 received above normal precipitation. Among the 61 stations, Lumle recorded the highest precipitation of 5289 mm (113% of normal precipitation) whereas Dunai recorded the lowest precipitation of 238.8 mm (94% of normal precipitation). In terms of the normal precipitation, the highest (187%) and the lowest (62%) percentage of normal precipitation is recorded at Jaleswor and Jajarkot respectively. Based on the average of 61 stations shown in figure 1, Nepal received 119% of the normal precipitation of the season. However, based on the average of 20 stations shown in figure 4, Nepal received 109% of normal precipitation of the season. In general, 90 to 110% of normal precipitation is considered as the normal precipitation for the season. Table 1: List of stations breaking the historical records of the highest seasonal total precipitation. S. Monsoon season Previous N. Station Monsoon season normal 2020 total record Name District precipitation (mm) precipitation (mm) (mm)/Year 1. Dumkauli Nawalpur 1964.4 3335.2 2865.6/2003 2. Dhankuta Dhankuta 717.2 1133.9 1060.6/1987 3. Rampur Chitawan 1704.5 2683.3 2258/2007 4. Syangja Syangja 2273.7 3520.0 3130.7/2002 5. Baglung Baglung 1657 2449.7 2052.4/2000 6. Kaski 3119.5 4519.4 4068.9/1995 7. Khudi Bazar Lamjung 2744.4 3998.6 3819.1/1996 8. Kushma Parbat 2168.3 2895.1 2690.8/2000

Government of Nepal Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Department of Hydrology and Meteorology Climate Division (Climate Analysis Section) Babarmahal, Kathmandu

Figure 1: Monsoon season total precipitation. Contour lines indicate the total precipitation during June- September 2020 in mm and coloured circles indicate the percentage of monsoon season normal precipitation at the meteorological stations. The normal precipitation is defined as the average of total precipitation of June to September of 1981- 2010. Figures 2 and 3, respectively, show the temporal distribution of the accumulated precipitation of average precipitation of 20 stations shown in figure 4 starting from 1st January and 1st June 2020. The temporal distribution of accumulated precipitation of daily average precipitation of 20 stations was that above normal throughout the year.

Annual Rainfall Monitoring Monsoon Rainfall Monitoring January - December 2020 June - September 2020 120 1800 120 2100 1600 109 100 1800 100 1400 1500 80 1200 80 1000 1200 60 60 800 900 40 600 40 600 400

20 20 Rainfall Rainfall (%)

300 Rainfall (%) 200 Rainfall (mm)

0 0 Rainfall (mm) 0 0

5-Jul 1-Jul

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16-Jul 31-Jul

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30-Aug 14-Sep 29-Sep Accumulated Normal Accumulated15-Aug Observed Accumulated Normal Accumulated Annual Rainfall 2020 Figure 2: In the above graph, blue dotted line indicates Figure 3: In the above graph, blue dotted line the average of daily accumulated normal precipitation indicates the average of daily accumulated normal of 20 stations throughout the year (Jan - Dec) and pink precipitation of 20 stations during monsoon season solid line indicates the average of daily accumulated (Jun - Sep) and pink solid line indicates the average precipitation of this year. The 20 stations are shown in of daily accumulated precipitation of this monsoon. figure 4. The 20 stations are shown in figure 4. Government of Nepal Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Department of Hydrology and Meteorology Climate Division (Climate Analysis Section) Babarmahal, Kathmandu

Figure 4: Location of 20 stations used in the above figures 2 and 3.

Precipitation events causing major hazards during monsoon season 2020 Yearly many people are killed due to landslides at hills and floods at plains caused by heavy precipitation during monsoon season (June-September). According to Ministry of Home Affairs (http://drrportal.gov.np/), more than 150 people were killed due to the landslides only caused by heavy precipitation during this monsoon. Five most hazardous precipitation events are summarized below:- 1. Landslide at Tamadi of Municipality of and Foxingcoat of Rambhapur rural municipality of on 24th September, 2020 Continuous two days heavy precipitation recorded on 23rd and 24th September 2020 over Chapkot and Borlangpul of Syangja had triggered landslide which killed 9 people at Waling municipality of Syangja. Similarly, 6 persons were killed due to the landslide caused by heavy precipitation that occurred at Foxingcoat of Palpa. Precipitation at diffetent stations of Syangja and Palpa district recorded from 22nd to 24th September are shown in the table 2 and figure 5 and 6. Table 2: Daily precipitation recorded at Syanja and Palpa district during heavy precipitation event Precipitation (mm) Date Syangja District Palpa District Chapkot Borlangpul Tansen Gandakot 23-Sep-20 66.9 32.2 59 52.8 24-Sep-20 182.7 60 175 173.2 Government of Nepal Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Department of Hydrology and Meteorology Climate Division (Climate Analysis Section) Babarmahal, Kathmandu

Daily Precipitation at different places of Palpa and Syangja Distrct 200

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0 23-Sep-20 24-Sep-20

Chapkot, Syangja Borlangpul, Syangja Tansen, Palpa Gandakot, Palpa

Figure 5: Daily precipitation recorded at different stations of Syanja and Palpa districts during heavy precipitation events of 23rd and 24th September 2020.

Figure 6: Daily precipitation recorded on 24th September 2020. Government of Nepal Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Department of Hydrology and Meteorology Climate Division (Climate Analysis Section) Babarmahal, Kathmandu

Figure 7: Last 2 days precipitation accumulation recorded on 24 September 2020 2. Landslide at Jugal Rural Municipality of Sindhupalchwok on 14th August, 2020 Continuous rain over Sindhupalchwok during last 5 days triggered huge landslides on 14th August 2020 at Jugal rural municipality which had killed 37 persons. Precipitation at different stations of Sindhupalchwok district recorded from 10th to 13th August are shown in the table 3 and figure 8 and 9. Table 3: Daily precipitation recorded at different places of Sindhupalchwok district during heavy precipitation event

Precipitation(mm) Sindhupalchwok District Date Dhap Sermathang Gumthang

10-Aug-20 55.2 -- 103.8 11-Aug-20 28 -- 20 12-Aug-20 20.4 39.6 10.4 13-Aug-20 27.8 63.8 17.6 14-Aug-20 51.8 -- 20.8 Government of Nepal Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Department of Hydrology and Meteorology Climate Division (Climate Analysis Section) Babarmahal, Kathmandu

Daily precipitation at different Places of Sindhupalchok district 120

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Dhap Sermathang Gumthang

Figure 8: Daily precipitation recorded at the stations located at Sindhupalchwok district during heavy precipitation events of 14th August 2020.

Figure 9: Daily precipitation recorded on 14th August 2020.

Government of Nepal Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Department of Hydrology and Meteorology Climate Division (Climate Analysis Section) Babarmahal, Kathmandu

Figure 10: Last 5 days precipitation accumulation recorded on 14th August 2020

3. Landslide at Barhabise Municipality of Sindhupalchwok on 13th September, 2020 Continuous precipitation followed by heavy precipitation caused huge landslide at Barhabise of Sindupalchwok district on 13th September 2020 and had killed 16 persons. Precipitation at different stations of Sindhupalchwok district recorded from 10th to 13th September are shown in the table 4 and figure11 and 12. Table 4: Daily precipitation recorded at different places of Sindhupalchwok district during the heavy precipitation event

Precipitation(mm) Sindhupalchwok District Date Dhap Gumthang Chautara 10-Sep-20 8.6 18.2 4.8 11-Sep-20 8.6 21.6 1

12-Sep-20 37 77.6 18.4

13-Sep-20 37 141.2 23.2

Government of Nepal Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Department of Hydrology and Meteorology Climate Division (Climate Analysis Section) Babarmahal, Kathmandu

Daily precipitation at different places of Sindhupalchwok district

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Dhap Gumthang Chautara

Figure 11: Daily precipitation recorded at different stations of Sindhupalchwok district during the heavy precipitation event of 13th September 2020.

Figure 12: Daily precipitation recorded over the various stations on 13 September 2020.

Government of Nepal Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Department of Hydrology and Meteorology Climate Division (Climate Analysis Section) Babarmahal, Kathmandu

Figure 13: Last 4 days precipitation accumulation recorded on 13th September 2020

4. Landslide at Naraharinath Rural Municipality (Bagha) on 29th July 2020 Due to continuous precipitation in from 18th July 2020, a huge landslide occurred on 29th July which had claimed 7 people. Precipitation at Manma station of Kalikot district recorded from 24th to 30th July are shown in the table 5, and figure14 and 15. Table 5: Daily precipitation recorded at Manma of Kalikot district during the heavy precipitation event Date Daily Precipitation at Manma (mm) 24-Jul-20 36.8 25-Jul-20 2.1 26-Jul-20 35.5 27-Jul-20 5.2 28-Jul-20 20.5 29-Jul-20 89.8

Government of Nepal Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Department of Hydrology and Meteorology Climate Division (Climate Analysis Section) Babarmahal, Kathmandu

Daily precipitation at Manma of Kalikot District 100

75

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25

0 24-Jul-20 25-Jul-20 26-Jul-20 27-Jul-20 28-Jul-20 29-Jul-20

Figure 14: Daily precipitation recorded at Manma station of Kalikot district during heavy precipitation event of 29th July 2020.

Figure 15: Daily precipitation recorded on 29th July 2020.

Government of Nepal Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Department of Hydrology and Meteorology Climate Division (Climate Analysis Section) Babarmahal, Kathmandu

Figure 16: Last 6 days precipitation accumulation recorded on 29th July 2020

5. Massive landslide and flood at Bhobang of Dhorpatan Municipality-9, on 3rd September 2020. Massive landslide and flood triggered due to heavy precipitation at Baglung district swept a human settlements of more than 40 homes at Bhobang of Dhorpatan Municipality-9 on 3rd September 2020. More than 14 people were died and 40 persons were missed due to the event. Station located at Galkot of Baglung have recorded the 86mm precipitation on 2nd September. Precipitation at Manma station of Kalikot recorded from 24th to 30th July are shown in the table 5, and figure14 and 15. Table 5: Daily precipitation recorded at Galkot station of Baglung district during heavy precipitation event

Date Precipitation (mm) 1-Sep-2020 6.8 2-Sep-2020 86 3-Sep-2020 2.8 Government of Nepal Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Department of Hydrology and Meteorology Climate Division (Climate Analysis Section) Babarmahal, Kathmandu

Daily Precipitation at Galkot of Baglung District 100

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0 1-Sep-20 2-Sep-20 3-Sep-20

Figure 17: Daily precipitation recorded at Galkot of Baglung district during heavy precipitation event of 3rd September 2020.

Figure 18: Daily precipitation recorded on 3rd September 2020.

Government of Nepal Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Department of Hydrology and Meteorology Climate Division (Climate Analysis Section) Babarmahal, Kathmandu

Figure 19: Last 3 days precipitation accumulation recorded on 3rd September 2020