Dhangadi/Damauli, October 31

Rainfall that lashed the country on Wednesday has destroyed paddy crop ready for harvest at various places.

Lodging has occurred at several places, while in many parts paddy fields have been waterlogged. Rainfall at this stage is not good and is likely to affect the yield.

Ram Charan Chaudhary, a farmer in Gadariya of Kailali, complained that the untimely rain had affected plantation this year. “Now this untimely rain has added to our problems,” rued Chaudhary.

Chet Raj Joshi, an officer at the District Agriculture Development Office, said the rain damaged paddy crop ready for harvest. “It will now be very difficult for the farmers to harvest fallen crop,” Joshi said.

According to Kailali Agro Office, only 40 per cent of paddy crops grown in 71,000 hectares of land had been harvested till date. Kailali produces nearly 250,000 metric tonnes of paddy on an average every year. Crop expert Rajesh KC at the Far-western Regional Agriculture Directorate, Dipayal, said lodging of crop and waterlogging in fields will not only affect the quality of grain but also make harvesting difficult.

Meanwhile, rains have also damaged paddy crop ready for harvest in Tanahun. It has been reported that the untimely rains have damaged paddy crop at different Tanahun districts.

Sindhu Primary School Management Committee Chairman Buddhi Bahadur Kumal said the rains damaged paddy crop 70 ropanis of land in Sange. Rain coupled with strong winds damaged paddy crop ready for harvest.

Planning Officer at the District Agriculture Development Office,Sashi Adhikary said rains had damaged crops at many places in the district.