Khotang, July 4

Local farmers have become depressed after their seasonal crops, including maize, wilted on the field due to prolonged drought in Khotang.

Maize, among other seasonal crops, has started dying due to lack of rainwater at Halesi Tuwachung Municipality, Rawabesi, Diprung, Chuichumma, Khotehang, and Bahrapokhari rural municipalities of the district.

The farmers said their hard labour would go in vain as maize that had been planted in hundreds of hectare land had begun to wilt in the field.

Local farmers said the maize plants in all wards of Halesi Tuwachung Municipality had begun to die owing to drought.

Mayor Iwan Rai said the farmers looked very dejected because of realisation that their hard work might not yield proper outcome due to prolonged drought. He said many farmers could not even plant crops due to lack of rain.

According to the municipality, the policy and programme for food security would be unveiled after food crisis area was announced by the municipal assembly.

Chairman Lila Nath Niraula of Rawabesi Rural Municipality said maize plants had begun to dry at wards 2 and 3. The locals said the corn plants looked dry at Diprung, Chuchumma’s Batase, Chhorambu, Lichkiramchhe, Simpani of Bahrapokhari, among other places.