MAHOTTARI, Aug 2: Some districts of Madhesh, which had been reeling under a prolonged drought during the monsoon season, experienced heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division (MFD).
As per measurements taken this (Saturday) morning, Tulsi Center in Dhanusha district recorded 63.8 mm of rainfall, while Hardinath in the same district received 51 mm. Similarly, Gaur in Rautahat recorded 44.6 mm, and Amlekhgunj in Bara received 46.4 mm of rain.
After a prolonged drought, farmers in Mahottari—like those in other rain-affected districts—have begun to regain hope for their rice plantations.
"Now the seedlings won’t wither. The cracks in the previously planted fields have been filled, and the rice plants have recovered," said Bijay Yadav, a farmer from Bhangaha Municipality–3, Kataiya. "The rain over the past three days has brought great relief." Previously, farmers had resorted to pumping water from wells, borings, and shallow tube wells for the plantation. Now, they are hopeful that the seedlings will thrive.
Heavy rainfall forecast in Bagmati, several provinces
Although the recent rain hasn’t yet encouraged further transplantation, it has significantly benefited the rice already planted, according to local farmers. Ramudgar Mahato, a farmer from Premnagar, Bardibas Municipality–7, said the yellowing seedlings have started to revive due to the rainfall.
"Though it wasn’t enough to plow the fields, the three days of rain felt like a blessing," said Mahato. "It felt like nectar to the previously transplanted rice and to other crops like sugarcane, millet, maize, and vegetables that were drying up due to the drought." Farmers say even this brief spell of rain felt like an unexpected fortune during a difficult time.
The rainfall has not only benefited rice but also provided moisture to sugarcane, vegetables, maize, and millet, according to 75-year-old Islam Rain, a farmer from Ramnagar, Bhangaha Municipality–4. "The drought had dried out the tips of sugarcane plants, but this rainfall brought magical relief — the plants are recovering," he said. While the rain provided temporary moisture to various crops, farmers stress that rice fields still require more water for full transplantation.
Rainfall was reported across all parts of Mahottari, though locals said the northern areas received more rain than the south. The public also noted that the rainfall helped reduce the extreme summer heat.
This year, due to the prolonged drought, rice transplantation in Mahottari has been significantly delayed. Out of the district’s total rice-cultivable land—estimated at 42,500 hectares—less than 35 percent have been transplanted by the first week of August, according to the Agriculture Knowledge Center, Mahottari.
Though the rainfall hasn’t yet enabled further transplantation, it has provided significant relief to already planted crops, said Devananda Yadav, Senior Agricultural Development Officer at the Center.
Moderate to heavy rainfall is also forecast for Madhesh on Sunday. According to meteorologists, the monsoon trough is shifting northward from its average position toward Nepal, increasing the likelihood of further rain in the region.
The extended lack of rainfall had left parts of Madhesh drought-affected, prompting the government to declare them crisis-hit areas.
