Unprepared

As country could see many more forest fires in near future, those tackling it must be properly equipped.

Nepal has of late been witnessing some uncommon climate-related patterns. For example, there has been no rain this winter. Months ago, the Hydrology and Meteorology Department had predicted that most parts of the country could witness hotter and drier winter due to low rainfall during the three months between December 1 and February 28. The forecast came true. Due to the paucity of rain, the minimum and maximum temperatures have stayed high. During the hotter months, daily lives in the country’s southern belt were badly affected. Schools had to be closed in many districts in the Tarai region that witnessed temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Then, in the last week of September 2024, Kathmandu Valley saw the highest rainfall on record since at least 1970, when the country first started measuring and recording rainfall. The following days saw heavy destruction by floods and landslides.