June 2: The temperature is soaring across the country including in the Kathmandu Valley since the past few days. The sweltering heat is felt because the mercury has been continuously climbing along with sunshine with clear skies since the last five days.    
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology under the Meteorological Forecasting Division says the Westerly winds coupled with the local winds are having partial influence in the country at present. Senior meteorologist at the Division, Pratibha Manandhar said that heat has increased due to lack of rain as the Westerly winds have been inactive.    
"The Westerly winds and the local winds have their influence in the country currently. However, it will not rain for some more days as it is a transitional period when the pre-monsoon is about to get over and the monsoon is about to start," she said.    
Manandhar added that temperature is expected to go up further due to this prevailing weather system. According to her, the mercury level will continue to rise until the entry of the monsoon.

"The heat will increase with the maximum temperature hovering over 40 degrees Celsius in some districts of the Tarai while it is gradually increasing in the Kathmandu Valley as well," she added.    
Meteorologist Manandhar shared that although the monsoon wind is not active, there are chances of intermittent rain in the hill region of the country over the next three days. The heat will increase in the Tarai region as the weather there will be fair.    
The maximum temperature in Kathmandu on Friday was recorded at 32 degrees Celsius. The temperature in Kathmandu has climbed from 23 to 35 degrees Celsius in the last few days.    
Meteorologist Manandhar said that generally the monsoon enters the country via eastern parts of the country from June 13. However, the monsoon is estimated to arrive about two weeks late this time. -- RSS