Various parts of the nation on Wednesday saw snowfall for the first time in the wake of the climate change gripping the nation due to continued downpour of the last couple of days.
Likewise, Kathmandu residents received visual treat on Wednesday as some parts of the valley was graced by the first snowfall in 62 years. The last snowfall had occurred in January 6, 1944 when one ft of snow had covered the capital, senior meteorologist Krishna Bhakta Manandhar said.
If rainfall continues tonight, Kathmandu will be covered in snow the following morning, Manandhar said adding that the snow and rainfall, which was a result of the westerly winds' low pressure line, was a normal phenomenon and will improve from tomorrow.
Moreover, the west winds are shifting east and their effects are gradually becoming less visible in the West.
The temperature inside the valley was 7 degree Celsius in the morning which plummeted to 3 degrees later in the day.
Just as the Kathmanduites were beginning to relish the sight of soft flakes of snow, the snowfall stopped just as abruptly as it had arrived, lasting just about five minutes at around Airport, Balaju, New Road, Baneshwor, Teenkune, Bhaktapur, Godavari, Jawlakhel, Lagankhel, among others.
Likewise, hilltops in the outskirts of Kathmandu including Shivapuri, Phulchowki, Nagarkot, Nagarjun, Lakhuribhanjyang were also under a three-foot-thick blanket of snow today.
Dhulikhel in Kavre district is also under one feet of snowfall in some 40-45 years while Dolakha, Rasuwa, Solukhumbu, Palpa, Kalikot, Sankhuwasabha, Parbat also experienced "historic" snowfalls.
The roads in the snow covered areas were obstructed while telephone and electricity services were also halted by the snowfall.
In the last 24 hours, Bhairahawa experienced highest rainfall of 98.5 mm.
Likewise, Birendranagar received 92.3 mm, Pokhara 79.9 mm rain while Kathmandu received some 20mm rain.
Meanwhile, areas in Sankhuwasabha and Parwat experienced 2 to 3 ft of snow with Parwat locals claiming today's snowfall to be the first time in the history of the hilly district.
Likewise, high altitude areas in Dolakha also experienced snowfall. Life in the Kharidhunga and Hawadanda stretch of the Lamosangu-Jiri road was disrupted due to the snowfall. Kalinchowk, Hanumante Danda and other tourist spots in the district too were snowed in.
Ilam and Panchthar districts in the east also saw heavy snowfall today. Two and half ft snow has covered the entire stretch between Paanchthar's Pauwabhanjyang in the Mechi Highway all the way up to the outskirts of Darjeeling.
