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There is an influence of westerly and local winds in the western and central parts of the country, while most areas of the Koshi Province are under an influence of monsoon winds.

This afternoon there will generally be partial to mainly cloudy weather across the country, with a chance of light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning in some places, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology informed. 

In one or two locations in the high hilly and mountain regions of the country, there is also a possibility of light rainfall and snowfall. 

Similarly, tonight, there will generally be partial to mostly cloudy weather across the country, with the possibility of light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning in some places. 

Also, there is a possibility of light rain and snowfall in one or two places in the high hilly and mountain regions. 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) released its 'Human Development Report, 2025' at a function held in the capital on Tuesday.

The report focuses on the impact that artificial intelligence (AI) can have on the multidimensional aspects of human development along with the potential that it carries.

The report also highlights the potential for the use of AI to further strengthen human development, promote inclusion and establish a just society.

According to the report, Nepal is in the list of countries with medium human development in the Human Development Index. Nepal is ranked 145th with an index of 0.622. The report also mentions that Nepal's Human Development Index has increased by 54 percent in the last 35 years.

At the report's launching event, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung said that Nepal has been taking policy initiatives to promote artificial intelligence, digital economy, establish data centers and attract foreign direct investment.

A policy has been adopted to increase the use of AI in the research and development sector, while studies are being conducted on how AI can be effectively used in sectors such as education, health, and agriculture. 

Minister Gurung said that the cold weather of the Himalayan region and the availability of cheap green energy (hydropower) have the potential to establish Nepal as an attractive destination for establishing a data center.

The government has planned to establish IT hubs in every province and initiatives are being taken to develop infrastructure for the same, said Minister Gurung. He expressed his belief that the ‘Digital Nepal Framework’, which Nepal has already implemented, will be further refined and implemented in a systematic manner, and that this will improve digitalization of government service, e-governance and digital access of citizens.

On the occasion, UNDP Nepal Resident Representative Kyoko Yokosuka said that the report focuses on how to benefit from the use of artificial intelligence and what challenges it may come up with. In the case of Nepal, she said that the use of AI can be effective in areas such as inclusive service delivery, improving the efficiency of local levels, disaster management and mitigating the impact of climate change, and data-based policymaking.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted that there is a possibility of light rain from coming Wednesday, which will cause the temperature to dip a bit.

Temperature has risen in most of the places across Tarai Madhesh belt (lowland) and the Kathmandu Valley for some time now in absence of rainfall, the Department said.

Meteorologist Pratima Manandhar said that western and the central part of the country is currently under the influence of the westerly winds and local winds while a majority of the places in Koshi Province is impacted by monsoon air.

Monsoon is taking some time to spread across the country from the eastern part as monsoon wind is yet to be fully active. She shared that the heat has increased significantly at present due to lack of rainfall. 

However, a light rainfall is taking place in some districts in Koshi, Bagmati and Lumbini Provinces today.

She mentioned the likelihood of light rainfall in various places including Kathmandu Valley from Wednesday. "The temperature will gradually decrease from Wednesday as clouds are also forming and rainfall is likely," the meteorologist explained.

Today's maximum temperature of Kathmandu Valley was 30 degree Celsius while Bhairahawa, Dhangadi and Nepalgunj recorded 41 degree Celsius, the highest of all other places in the country. 

The Department has forecasted light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorm and lightning in few places of Koshi, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces and similar weather is predicted in a place or two in hilly areas of the remaining provinces from coming Wednesday. 

A couple of places in mountainous parts of the country could witness rainfall which could affect the people's lives as well as road and air transportation, the Department cautioned and urged one and all for necessary precaution and early preparedness to reduce the impact of the rain-induced disasters.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed that the Mpox outbreak remains a global health emergency, with over 37,000 cases and 125 deaths reported across 25 countries since early 2024.

Following a conference with global health experts, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reiterated the emergency classification, citing success in certain countries but rising infections in West Africa and persistent expansion beyond the continent, Firstpost reported.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounts for 60 percent of cases and 40 percent of deaths. Uganda, Burundi, and Sierra Leone have also seen significant surges.

The WHO cited rising infections, ongoing transmission, and limited monitoring and treatment resources as reasons for maintaining the emergency status, according to Firstpost.