Janakpur, Aug 2: After weeks of harsh drought, several Madhesh districts have finally received substantial rainfall, bringing relief to farmers facing withering crops and cracked fields.
In Mahottari, steady rain since Monday has begun reviving rice fields and restoring farmers’ hopes. “The seedlings were drying, and we relied on underground water. These three days of rain have been a blessing,” said Bijay Yadav of Bhangaha–3.
According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, Dhanusha’s Tulsi Center recorded 63.8 mm of rain, followed by Hardinath (51 mm), Gaur in Rautahat (44.6 mm), and Amlekhgunj in Bara (46.4 mm) in the past 24 hours.
Though not enough to resume rice transplantation, the rainfall has helped existing crops. “Paddy leaves had turned yellow, but they’re greening again,” said Ramudgar Mahato of Bardibas–7. “Even sugarcane, maize, millet, and vegetables are recovering.”
While rainfall remained scattered, northern Mahottari received more than the southern part. Besides helping crops, it eased the heat that had worsened farmers’ distress.
Still, the drought’s damage lingers. Only about 35% of Mahottari’s 42,500 hectares of paddy land had been planted by mid-July, according to the Agriculture Knowledge Center. “This may not solve everything, but it’s a welcome break,” said senior agricultural officer Devananda Yadav.
Meteorologists predict more rainfall as the monsoon trough shifts northward, with moderate to heavy showers expected on Sunday across Madhesh.
Earlier in the season, several districts were declared drought-hit. While the new rain doesn’t undo all the harm, it has breathed life back into fields—and into farmers’ spirits.
People’s News Monitoring Service
Login to add a comment