The National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology is forecasting a normal amount of rainfall for this monsoon season, along with slightly hotter temperatures than usual. “Normal’ here means the average rainfall over the past 28 years, starting from 1996. The 11th National Climate Outlook Forum presented the forecast yesterday.
According to the centre, more than 70 per cent of annual rainfall happens between June and September. This year’s forecast, based on four different sources, including scientific models and global predictions, shows that we can expect slightly hotter days and warmer nights during the monsoon season.
“It’s very much advisable that we remind the public that during the monsoon season, we have some disaster-related events, such as the roadblocks, we will see rivers getting big, and we will also anticipate landslides and flash floods. So our advice right now is that even if it is going to be a normal monsoon, we will have some activities like this during this monsoon period,” said Ugyen Chophel, Deputy Chief, NCHM.
The monsoon temperatures in the country have been steadily rising since 2020.
Similarly, Pangrizampa’s astrological forecast also points to more intense rain and heat this year. It even warns of possible hailstorms and windstorms during the harvest season.
“Similar to the scientific forecast, astrology predicts normal rainfall this year in Bhutan,” said Karma Dendup, Lecturer, Pangrizampa Druk Phodrangdhing College for Astrology.
He added that the astrological forecast is based on Datho, a traditional guide used by astrologers. Meanwhile, the centre says both heat and rainfall are expected to keep increasing until the year 2100, especially in the north, west, north-west and south-western regions.
Singye Dema
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
