KATHMANDU: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology released a study on the extreme precipitation event in Kanchanpur on July 7, which was identified as a ‘Terai Cloudburst.’ The report, published on Sunday, followed a field visit to Dodhara, Hanumannagar, and Sundarpur to inspect rainfall measurement instruments.

The report highlights that Hanumannagar recorded 102 mm of rainfall in just one hour on July 7 and totaled 573.6 mm from 8:45 am on July 7 to 8:45 am on July 8. Sundarpur and Dodhara received 556.4 mm and 624 mm respectively during the same period. This intense rainfall was attributed to a combination of monsoon dynamics and a low-pressure system in the Westerly wind.

The heavy rainfall led to severe inundation in the plains of Kanchanpur, affecting about 98 square kilometers (around six percent of the district’s total area), impacting approximately 85 square kilometers of agricultural land and around 14,000 structures. The report emphasized the importance of timely special bulletins, impact-based forecasting, mass SMS services, preparedness, and effective search and rescue operations in mitigating damage.

It recommended increased investment in weather forecasting and disaster preparedness to better handle future extreme weather events, as climate change is likely to intensify monsoon-related incidents.