The powerful Cyclone Ockhi in the Arabian Sea, which caused significant damage in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in neighbouring India, is likely to cause snowfall in Nepal’s upper regions over the next couple days, the Meteorological Forecasting Division has said. However, the chance of a cold wave in the plains has been ruled out.

There was concern among the stakeholders that excessive chill might cause lower voter turnout. A not-so-high voter turnout in the first phase of federal parliamentary and provincial elections last week was blamed partly on the advancing winter in the Himalayan region.

Cold wave, an annual phenomenon in the Tarai, affects millions and claims lives in the plains. Usually, a thick blanket of fog is observed starting in mid-December until mid-January. Around the December 7 vote, mornings could be foggy in the southern belt with cloudy day.

The MFD has predicted cloudy sky in the western region and light to moderate snowfall at some places of the central and western mountain regions. The met office has reported a dip in temperatures across the country.

According to Shanti Kadel, a meteorologist with the division, the weather condition will depend on the movement on the cyclone. The MFD has been issuing special bulletins targeting the elections.