KATHMANDU: Heavy rainfall from September 24 to 27 has damaged paddy crops across Nepal, reducing estimated production by 438 metric tons and causing losses worth Rs 20.17 million, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment.
The Ministry reported that the rainfall affected 229.33 hectares of paddy fields nationwide.
Dr. Maniratna Aryal, a senior agricultural economist and the ministry’s information officer, said the damage to paddy accounted for 57.17 percent of the total agricultural losses recorded during the period.
Lumbini Province suffered the heaviest losses, particularly in Banke and Dang districts. A total of 205.07 hectares of paddy fields were damaged in the two districts, resulting in an estimated production loss of 359.80 metric tons and financial losses amounting to Rs 15.46 million.
In Gandaki Province, 16.78 hectares of paddy fields were affected across Gorkha, Tanahun, Baglung and Syangja districts, causing losses estimated at Rs 4.39 million. Koshi Province recorded damage worth Rs 320,000 across 2.14 hectares of paddy fields.
The ministry’s data also shows that the heavy rainfall damaged other agricultural crops. Maize accounted for 19.60 percent of the total crop losses, followed by vegetables at 10.40 percent, fruits at 7.85 percent, cardamom at 4.59 percent, millet at 0.26 percent and flowers at 0.13 percent.
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