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The monsoon season, characterized by cool and gloomy weather, has both advantages and disadvantages for individuals and nations. However, it is causing problems in Nepal due to a massive cluster of heavy rains this year.

The weather in comparison to 2023 has significantly changed due to the annual shift in rainfall patterns resulting from La Niña and El Niño. La Nina is a climate pattern occurring by the change in Pacific Ocean temperatures, affecting monsoon rainfall patterns from Indonesia to the west coast of South America while El Nino means the warming of the ocean surface, or above-average sea surface temperatures, in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The monsoon began on June 10 this year, and due to La Niña’s active transition, there is a high likelihood of heavy rainfall across South Asia. Nepal’s geography also increases the risk of floods and landslides.

According to meteorologist Ujjwal Upadhyay, “This year’s monsoon, likely to last till October, is expected to cause severe drought, agricultural issues, high fungal infections, and frequent illnesses among people, with potential consequences in the future.” This year’s rain pattern, with short duration and high quantity, rainy nights and sunny days can lead to high nighttime casualties and high humidity, affecting human health through issues like excessive sweating, dehydration, heat stroke, eye infections, and brain and kidney problems.

Meteorologist at Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal, Rajan Lamichhane, says, “We are issuing safety notices and bulletins to individuals of high-risk areas.” He also cautioned that August and September will experience heavier precipitation.

Upadhyay added, “This monsoon will also see a significant change, with 15-30 percent more rainfall in eastern Nepal, 10-15 percent more in Central Nepal, and 5-10 percent more in Western Nepal.” According to the increasing percentage from the average percent, each location will have to deal with casualties based on its geographical features.

The forecast can be analyzed only three days before the weather changes, but the changing pattern of this year was anticipated last year itself, according to experts. In 2023, the monsoon arrived in eastern Nepal on June 14, one day later than usual, and ended on Oct 15, a 13-day delay.

According to the data, the number of casualties and impacted families has decreased but remained high between 2023 and the most recent report. This shows an improvement in dealing with and mitigating the effects of monsoon-related calamities. The greatest significant reductions are evident in landslides and thunderstorms, whereas statistics on floods and heavy rainfall show a drop in intensity.

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Monsoon (2023)

Monsoon last week (July 26-Aug 1)

Monsoon (July 2024)

Source: Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal

One of the most serious and infectious diseases that is waterborne, cholera has resurfaced in Nepal this monsoon also, infecting 16 individuals in three districts thus far, according to health authorities.

Lalitpur, so far, has the highest number of cases (8), followed by Kailali (5) and Kathmandu (3), according to the Ministry of Health and Population. At first, a person based in Godavari, Lalitpur, was referred to the Teku Hospital in Kathmandu on the basis of symptoms and the case was confirmed 72 hours later.

According to Spokesperson for the ministry, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, contaminated water and filthy surroundings are the primary causes of cholera. “Contaminated water causes several diseases. Drinking boiled water can keep such diseases at bay,” he said, stressing the need to raise awareness about the importance of drinking boiled water. He said treatment is available at Teku Hospital and other hospitals.

In 2022, the Kathmandu valley witnessed 77 confirmed cases of cholera. In the wake of a cholera outbreak in ward numbers 11, 12 and 13 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City in 2023, concerned ward offices administered oral cholera vaccine in coordination with public health authorities. 

This waterborne disease, caused by Vibrio cholera and coliform bacteria, affects all age groups, though older people and newborns with lower immune systems are particularly susceptible. 

An inadequate sanitation system and poor hygiene are mainly behind cholera in Nepal. Rainwater and leftover water may also contain cholera-causing bacteria. 

Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, chief of the Clinical Research Unit at Sukraraj Hospital, highlights the importance of maintaining the quality of water for curbing waterborne diseases. Ensuring water quality is a basic duty of concerned authorities, he says: Such essential services should not be halted under any pretext.

“Only 80 percent of the patients show clear and common symptoms of cholera whereas 20 percent show rapid symptoms. Cholera can prove fatal if the patient is not rushed to the nearest hospital on time,” according to Budhathoki. 

So, taking a cue from symptoms, there is an urgent need to rush the affected people to nearest health facilities. Administering oral rehydration salt powder like Jeevan Jal from time to time is crucial for saving the patients’ lives. 

Hospitals in Nepal are well-equipped to deal with the cases of cholera and the health ministry is prepared to supply essential facilities and materials to deal with the disease, according to officials.

Nasana Bajracharya, 25, is the co-founder of Re-kriti, a company that customizes and recycles used jeans into bags, blending creativity with sustainability.

Bajracharya grew up in Kathmandu’s main marketplace and has always considered reusing leftover textiles. It was during her college days when she embarked on her entrepreneurial journey. She participated in a startup camp when she was pursuing a BBA degree. She worked on a clothing brand but suffered a huge loss. She then turned her focus to making bags as there seemed to be a lot of demand for that.

“The initial investment was just Rs 30,000,” says Bajracharya. The company has had an additional investment of Rs 2,50,000 till date. The head office is located in New Road, Kathmandu, but the company sells the bags in different locations in Thamel to fulfill customer demands. The co-founder says they have also started sending their bags to retail outlets in Kirtipur.

The main office is where most of the work gets done. From taking orders to cutting and making sample pieces, their office in New Road is always bustling with activity. The sewing, however, happens in Thamel and Kirtipur. Re-kriti sells products through their Instagram page as well as various outlets including thrift stores, bookstores, and co-working spaces. 

Talking about the initial days, Bajracharya says it was difficult to make bags out of denim. It was an expensive endeavor. Brand-new jeans or even thrifted jeans did not come cheap. She says investors as well as clients didn’t really appreciate the undertaking and she frequently got negative feedback. “I only had a profit margin of 10 percent and that wasn’t a lot considering all the time and effort that went into it,” she says.

However, things have turned around now. She is more than happy with the profits that she makes on bulk and custom orders. She learned a lot from several Indian recycling companies that started off small but are now making a name for themselves. “Re-kriti is a pioneer of customized denim bags. I don’t know any other company that does what we do,” says Bajracharya.

The company, she adds, wants to focus on upcycling and being as eco-friendly as possible by creating little to no waste. Leftover fabric is used to customize laptop cases and crafted into other accessories like purses and card holders. Re-kriti is a youthful brand that wants to make an eco-friendly style statement through their innovative designs.

“My goal is to stand out as a brand and be known for good quality work,” she says. And indeed, the company is working with that mission in mind. Bajracharya says she receives a lot of feedback, compliments, and criticisms and that she takes them all seriously. It helps her improve. Going by feedback, she has also started sourcing jeans from customers. This makes the customized pieces unique and people also like the fact that their old clothes didn’t go to waste. However, most of the textiles the company needs still come from thrift stores as well as factories.

Currently, the company has seven women working under it. They are underutilized, says Bajracharya, as they are equipped to handle double the volume of orders they receive at the moment. “We collaborate with a women’s group and they all have diplomas in tailoring and stitching. We also provide basic design training to those who already know how to stitch,” she says.  

Many of these women are married and have different responsibilities. The company allows them to work at their own pace from their homes. “We get one to three orders every day and it’s fairly easy to meet the deadlines as there are so many women working on them,” she explains, adding the team takes a maximum of two days to complete the orders. So far, there have been no issues of delay.

Apart from ensuring employee satisfaction, Bajracharya also wants to ensure the company’s growth. Marketing is thus her main focus at the moment. Since Re-kriti’s target clients are those aged 18 to 35 who often have limited money to spend, she knows her products will have to be budget friendly. Youths, she says, are conscious about the environmental impact of their choices and she wants her brand to cater to those people.

“We receive orders from Pokhara, Biratnagar, Itahari, and Dang as well so I’d say the brand is being noticed,” says Bajracharya. As heartening as that is, it puts pressure on her and the team. They want to ensure customer satisfaction and also be ready to take the business to the next level by making it investor-ready. “It’s not easy to manage all that goes on in a business but I’m ready to do what it takes,” she concludes.