Cyclone Arnab Rain Threat Looms Over NPL at Kirtipur

The Nepal Premier League's October 31 double-header at Kirtipur is heading into a wet weekend, with Nepal's disaster authority placing October 29 to 31 on high alert as Cyclone Arnab pushes rain into Bagmati province.

High Alert From October 29 to 31

Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has urged authorities and the public to remain on high alert from October 29 to 31 as Cyclone Arnab, which developed over the Bay of Bengal, brings its influence to the country. The warning draws on a special post-monsoon bulletin from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, which expects the cyclone to make landfall in India on October 28, with its effects reaching Nepal from the night of October 29.

Five provinces face the most significant impact on October 30 and 31: Koshi, Bagmati, Madhesh, Gandaki and Lumbini are expected to see moderate rainfall in many places and heavy rain in some areas, accompanied by thunder, lightning and wind. Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces may also receive moderate rain, with heavy rainfall possible at isolated locations. High-hill and Himalayan areas face the additional risk of heavy snowfall, snowstorms and avalanches.

For the NPL, the geography matters. Every match of the season is played at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, in Bagmati province, so a province-wide wet spell cannot be dodged by moving a fixture elsewhere. The schedule leaves no spare venue, which is why this forecast matters so much here.

Kirtipur Forecast for the Double-Header

The local forecast for Kirtipur underlines the concern. Thursday night carries a 90 percent chance of rain, with 14.78 mm expected, and Friday is wetter still: a 90 percent chance of rain during the day with 11.28 mm, rising to a 100 percent chance overnight with 28.76 mm. Saturday, the double-header day, carries a 90 percent chance of rain during the day with 6.30 mm.

That Saturday double-header pairs Lumbini Lions against Chitwan Rhinos at 12:30 PM, followed by Sudurpaschim Royals against Biratnagar Kings at 5 PM. Both matches are scheduled at the same Kirtipur ground, so a wet outfield in the afternoon would not just threaten one game but the whole day's cricket. No NPL fixture is scheduled for Friday, October 30, which means the wettest forecast day falls on a gap day rather than a match day, though a saturated outfield can still carry into Saturday.

Forecasts, it should be stressed, are not results. A 90 percent chance of rain is not a guarantee of a washout, and the amounts forecast for Saturday daytime are modest compared with Friday night's deluge. T20 matches can still start late and be completed. Saturday's double-header is therefore the most weather-exposed day of the tournament to date.

Tonight's Match in the Window

The window opens during Thursday's evening match. Karnali Yaks face Biratnagar Kings at 5 PM on October 29 at Kirtipur, with the cyclone's effects expected to reach Nepal that night. The day match, Janakpur Bolts against Kathmandu Gurkhas at 12:30 PM, should be played before the rain arrives, but the evening game sits right on the edge of the forecast change.

The two evening teams arrive in contrasting form, as covered in NPL 2026 Day Four: Janakpur-Kathmandu, Karnali-Biratnagar. Karnali opened their campaign with a win over Janakpur, while Biratnagar lost their opener to Chitwan Rhinos. Fans following from home can track every ball through the live scores page, which will show any delay or interruption as it happens.

What Rain Would Mean at Kirtipur

As of publication, no postponement, rescheduling or venue change has been announced for any fixture in the window, and this article makes no claim that one is coming. The honest position is that the authorities have warned of rain, the forecasts point to a wet Friday and a rainy Saturday daytime, and the league has not yet said anything about its fixtures. Supporters with tickets for Saturday should therefore plan for the possibility of delays and check official updates before travelling, rather than assuming either a washout or a full day's play.

The single-venue format cuts both ways: one wet spell affects the whole competition, but a single ground crew can focus all its covers and drying equipment on one outfield, and the Friday gap day gives that crew a full day to work before Saturday. Whether Saturday produces two full matches, shortened games or a washout will depend on how much rain actually falls on Friday night and how quickly the Kirtipur outfield recovers.

Official Advice for Fans Travelling

Beyond cricket, the official advice is worth repeating for anyone travelling to Kirtipur. The disaster authority has asked the public to avoid non-essential travel during the adverse weather period, to stay away from riverbanks and flood-prone locations, and to follow official weather forecasts rather than rumours.

The helpline numbers published with the warning are 1155 for weather information, 1234 for disaster assistance, 100 for Nepal Police and 1144 for Tourist Police. This system is a national weather event first and a cricket talking point second. For NPL fans, the practical advice is simple: watch the forecast, watch the live scores, and let the ground staff and the officials decide what Saturday holds.