Doti: Delay in rains has hit paddy plantation in far western region this year. Generally, farmers begin paddy plantation in the first week of Ashad but due to lack of water in the fields, paddy plantation is being affected this year.

“With no irrigation facilities, we have been compelled to depend on monsoon. But, the monsoon is yet to begin this year,” farmers said.

Locals here are performing pujas in local temples to please the rain gods. “Winter crops were damaged in hailstorms last year,” Khagendra Ojha. “Friday was Ekadashi but it did not rain. It will take at least another week before it begins to rain,” said Lal Bahadur Deuba, a local farmer at Gadsera.