A Climate Wake-Up Call

Despite reaching mid-monsoon, large areas of the eastern Tarai and Madhes Province remain parched, halting paddy transplantation. As of mid-July, less than 50 percent of paddy fields have been planted in Madhesh Province, and only about 60 percent in Koshi Province. The drought has caused acute shortages not only of irrigation water but also of drinking water. Acknowledging the severity of the crisis, the government declared Madhes a disaster-affected zone on Wednesday. In areas without irrigation, even sown seeds are drying up. Delayed planting is expected to significantly reduce yields. While paddy plantation has progressed better in Sudurpaschim, Karnali, Lumbini, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, the failure to transplant in Koshi and Madhes—both major food-producing regions—could have far-reaching consequences. A national food crisis looms and if the situation worsens, it may trigger mass migration from Madhes and widespread social and public health issues. The heat has become unbearable and the loss of traditional water sources due to rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, climate change and pollution has only deepened the crisis.