Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, has urged the public to travel only with caution due to the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall from Saturday evening to Sunday noon.

Referring to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology’s forecast of heavy rainfall in the Kathmandu Valley and several parts of the country from around 7–8 PM Saturday until 12–1 PM Sunday, Minister Ghising called on everyone to remain alert while traveling.

Due to the potential floods, landslides, inundation, and related risks caused by intense rainfall, Minister Ghising held discussions on Saturday with the Secretaries of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and the Directors General of the Departments of Roads, Water Resources and Irrigation, and Hydrology and Meteorology. He directed all relevant agencies to stay on high alert and prepared.

Minister Ghising instructed officials to remain ready and to ensure that all equipment and infrastructure are in operational condition. He emphasized careful operation of floodgates and relocating machinery or equipment near rivers and streams to safer locations, as rainfall could cause serious damage to roads, irrigation systems, and hydropower infrastructure.

He also urged all agencies to coordinate with security bodies and maintain uniformity in disaster-related information, ensuring that updates are communicated promptly.

Director General of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Kamal Ram Joshi, explained that the ongoing rainfall is due to a weather system moving from Odisha and Jharkhand in India through the Bay of Bengal toward Nepal, and that the system is expected to move eastward by Monday.

He noted that this year’s pattern is similar to last year’s, and therefore preparedness is essential for potential disasters. He advised maintaining high vigilance until Monday morning.

Similarly, Directors General Vijay Jaishi (Department of Roads) and Mitra Baral (Department of Water Resources and Irrigation) informed that necessary precautionary measures have been taken to mitigate risks from possible floods, landslides, and inundation.