Monsoon rain has finally reached Kathmandu after its onset on June 12, as weathermen expected it to get stronger in coming days in central Nepal before moving towards the western parts of the country. 

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, Kathmandu received 18 mm of rainfall on Tuesday whereas Okhaldhunga and Biratanagar recorded 72mm and 63mm rainfall respectively. However, rainfall in western Nepal was not due to monsoon wind, said Barun Paudel, a meteorologist at the MDF. “Rainfall in western Nepal was due to western disturbances,” he said. 

Birendranagar, Nepalgunj, Pokhara and other western cities also witnesses received rain on Tuesday, with Pokhara receiving 39mm. 

Despite an early monsoon forecast for this year, monsoon entered eastern two days later than the onset date of June 10. 

Monsoon begins in Nepal on June 10 and stays till September 23. 

During the monsoon, Nepal receives its 80 per cent of rainfall which varies in different places. 

Delayed rains this year had earlier stoked some concerns, especially when it comes to paddy plantation. 

But a delay of two days hardly makes any significant impact on paddy, said Bhola Man Singh Basnet, a senior rice expert. 

“Rains have arrived just on time. Most of the paddy plantation in the Tarai takes place in the month of Asadh, so there is nothing to worry,” said Basnet, adding, “For paddy, we don’t need extreme rainfall; we need frequent rains.”