DHANKUTA, JULY 12
Paddy plantation in Dhankuta has reached only 18 percent by the third week of the monsoon planting season, as inadequate rainfall continues to delay transplantation across the district.
According to the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, only 791 hectares of the district's total 4,938.89 hectares of paddy-cultivable land have been planted so far. Acting Chief Nagendra Rana said the prolonged lack of rainfall during the peak planting period has significantly slowed transplantation.
He said planting has progressed only in parts of the district's upper belt, where some rainfall was recorded recently, while most arable land in other areas remains fallow due to insufficient moisture.
Most farmers in Dhankuta depend entirely on rainfall for paddy cultivation. The prolonged dry spell has left farmers in the lower and valley areas unable to begin transplantation, raising concerns over drought and possible crop losses.
Santosh Bhujel, a farmer from Bhaise in Pakhribas Municipality-5, said the lack of rain for nearly three months has left farmland barren.
"There has been almost no rainfall for nearly three months. Our fields remain uncultivated, and instead of lush greenery, the land has dried up," he said.
Farmers fear the prolonged drought could reduce food production this season, while soaring temperatures have made daily life increasingly difficult for residents in the district's lower-lying areas.