Rains bring respite to drought-hit Terai

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Aug. 8: The districts of the Terai region have been receiving rains since Sunday, and the people have felt a sigh of relief from a prolonged drought.

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), the country is currently experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall due to the influence of a low-pressure system near Bihar, India, and the monsoon trough lying north of its usual position, closer to Nepal.

Govinda Jha, a senior meteorologist at the Meteorological Forecast Division under the DHM, said that almost all parts of the country, including Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, are experiencing light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning.

On Monday, Madhes and Lumbini Province experienced heavy rainfall at one or two places, while Koshi Province received heavy to very heavy rainfall at some locations. 

However, the rainfall is still not sufficient for paddy plantations in the drought-hit Terai districts, as it does not provide enough moisture to the soil, said Jha. “But, if such rainfall continues for the next two days, there will be enough moisture in the soil for paddy plantation,” he added.

Meanwhile, our Bardibas correspondent, Rabindra Upreti, reported that the districts in Madhes Province are finally receiving rain after a prolonged drought, bringing much-needed relief to heat-affected individuals and farmers.

Agricultural experts have expressed their concern that while the monsoon rains provided some seasonal relief after the prolonged drought, they might not bring the expected benefits to the agricultural sector. 

As per the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Mahottari district, which has 53,412 hectares of cultivable land, paddy has been planted in only 20.40 per cent (10,496 hectares) due to the impact of the drought. 

In lack of adequate rainfall, around 80 per cent of the Mahottari district has turned barren, leading the District Disaster Management Committee to declare it as a drought-affected area. 

Likewise, our Beni correspondent Thakur Prasad Acharya reported that the road in Baisari of Beni-Jomsom Korola road section was blocked owing to a landslide, causing inconvenience to the passengers.

The road in the Baisari section of Raghuganga Rural Municipality-2 has been entirely blocked since Saturday because of a landslide that fell from above the road. 

Despite efforts, the road remains closed thanks to continuous landslides from the area above the road. A long line of vehicles has been formed, causing significant traffic congestion and delays. Authorities are working to clear the road and restore access, but the situation remains challenging because of ongoing landslides.

The road blockade in Baisari has left passengers stranded, including those who were on their way to or returning from Muktinath darshan and Jomsom.

Around 500 vehicles are stuck on both sides of the Baisari section. The stranded passengers have been forced to sleep on the road due to the unavailability of sufficient hotels in the area. 

Additionally, the lack of proper accommodation facilities has resulted in travelers facing difficulties in getting food. Authorities are working to address the situation and provide necessary assistance to the stranded individuals.