Photo Courtesy: AI
Kathmandu, August 24, 2025 – The Madhes Province in southern Nepal is facing a severe water crisis following an unprecedented drought during this year’s monsoon season. The prolonged dry spell in July not only delayed paddy plantation, a critical livelihood activity in the region, but also created an acute shortage of drinking water, forcing authorities to mobilize tankers and fire trucks to supply water to affected settlements.
Traditionally, paddy fields in Madhes are planted in July when monsoon rains peak. However, this year, large areas of land remained barren until the first week of August, causing widespread concern among farmers. Even those who managed to plant paddy using irrigation facilities struggled, as the persistent drought prevented seedlings from taking root.
The Madhes Provincial Government has declared the province a drought-affected zone. During his recent visit to Mahottari and Bara districts, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announced plans to install 500 deep-boring irrigation systems to address the crisis. Each system is expected to irrigate up to 65 hectares of farmland. However, experts warn that with rains arriving only in early August, many plantations may not yield well, particularly those sown after mid-August.
The latest assessment by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has raised concerns that the crisis may persist in the years ahead. The report highlighted erratic and insufficient rainfall, degradation of Chure hills, and overexploitation of groundwater as key factors contributing to the crisis. The Chure region, which acts as a water source for the Tarai, has been excessively exploited, resulting in reduced water flow and deepening the scarcity.
Madhes, often called Nepal’s grain store, plays a vital role in national food security through rice production. Last year, 97 percent of paddy fields in Madhes were planted on time, but this year the figure dropped sharply to 86.35 percent. The reduced plantation area, combined with late sowing, is expected to lower rice yields, posing risks to food security.
Experts emphasize that unless immediate and sustainable measures are taken, including conservation of Chure hills, improved irrigation facilities, and better water management strategies, the crisis could worsen in the coming years.
