Storms and heavy rain destroy crops just before harvest

Farmers in Kailali, Bardiya, Salyan and Dang have suffered losses to paddy, fruit and vegetables, raising fears of lower yields and increasing demands for government relief.

Heavy rain and strong winds over the past two weeks have damaged crops across western Nepal, ruining paddy ready for harvest in the Tarai and destroying fruit and vegetables in the hills. Farmers who had been preparing to bring in their harvest have watched months of work go to waste, while local governments have begun sending agricultural technicians to assess the damage.