Nepal, Jan. 5 -- Nepal is set to experience below-average rainfall this winter, likely keeping temperatures slightly above normal nationwide, including in the Kathmandu Valley.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) has projected below-average rainfall across Nepal during the current winter season.Meteorologists have said that this trend will most likely push temperatures slightly above normal levels nationwide.

Winter usually contributes about 3.5 percent of the country's annual precipitation, averaging 60.1 millimeters of rainfall. However, DHM officials say precipitation this winter is likely to remain lower than usual, a pattern already evident in December and expected to persist through February 28.

The reduced rainfall...