Weather forecasting capacity extended to seven days: energy minister

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Birajbhakta Shrestha said weather forecasting capacity has been extended to seven days.

Speaking to News Agency Nepal, he said that while only three-day advance forecasts had been possible until now, the government is working to build a system that can provide forecasts up to seven days in advance.

Minister Shrestha said work is also underway to make the system for continuous monitoring of river water levels sustainable.

He said the ministry had already studied and explained the possible effects of a developing super El Niño in the Pacific Ocean right from the early stage of taking up this responsibility.

He believes forecasting needs to be made even more effective and reliable, as climate change has begun altering rainfall patterns.

Minister Shrestha also said that an early warning system alone is not enough to reduce disaster risk.