Kathmandu August 2, 2025
After weeks of below-average monsoon activity and a formal declaration of drought crisis in Madhesh Province, heavy rainfall has finally reached parts of the region, providing a potential reprieve for rain-dependent farmers and local ecosystems. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, several districts in Madhesh experienced significant rainfall over the past 24 hours.
Dhanusha district recorded the highest rainfall, with 63.8 mm at the Tulsi Center and 51 mm at Hardinath. In neighboring areas, Gaur in Rautahat received 44.6 mm and Amlekhgunj in Bara 46.4 mm—amounts categorized as moderate to heavy rainfall under meteorological standards.
Madhesh Province had been facing severe stress due to prolonged dry spells during this critical monsoon season. The lack of timely rainfall led the government to designate the entire province as a “crisis-affected zone,” impacting not just agriculture but also drinking water access and groundwater recharge.
Saturday's rainfall brought some hope, but the distribution remained uneven. Districts such as Sarlahi and Mahottari received 37.6 mm and 32.4 mm respectively, while Siraha and Saptari recorded only minimal precipitation. Experts caution that one or two days of rain will not be sufficient to offset weeks of moisture deficit.
“The monsoon low-pressure trough is gradually shifting northward, toward Nepal, which may result in continued rainfall in the coming days,” said a senior meteorologist. Forecasts suggest moderate to heavy rain is likely across Madhesh on Sunday, with potential spillover into hilly and Terai regions of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces. Thunderstorms and lightning are also expected in several areas.
While rainfall is a welcome development, experts urge authorities to remain vigilant. Sudden heavy downpours in previously dry regions can lead to flash floods, soil erosion, and waterlogging—especially where natural drainage is poor or infrastructure is weak.
The broader concern remains: erratic monsoon patterns, increasingly linked to climate change, are intensifying both droughts and floods in Nepal’s lowlands. Ecosphere News urges national and local governments to invest in long-term water management, resilient agricultural systems, and early warning infrastructure to prepare communities for such climate extremes.
