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A long dry spell has pushed the Dhanusha of Madhes Province into a deep farming crisis. The lack of proper rainfall for more than 15 days has left rice fields dry and cracked, putting this year’s rice planting season—and farmers’ livelihoods—at serious risk.

For most farmers in Dhanusha, rice is not just a crop; it is their main source of food and income. The region relies heavily on the monsoon rains that usually arrive in early July. But this year, the rains have been unusually late and weak. In the last 24 hours, Hardinath Meteorological Station in Dhanusha witnessed 12.6 mm of rainfall, which is significantly low. Without them, rice saplings cannot be transplanted into the fields, and without transplanting, there will be no harvest.

The problem is now so serious that the Madhes Province Government has officially declared several districts, including Dhanusha, as drought-hit zones. This declaration is a clear signal that the situation needs urgent attention and support from both the provincial and federal governments.

“We haven’t had proper rain in over two weeks,” said Nanda Kishore Pokhrel, a farmer from Chhireshwarnath Municipality-5. “I’ve tried to water my 9-katha field using a motor connected to a hand pump, but the water level is too low, and the system isn’t working properly. The seeds I want to plant are drying up in the heat. If we don’t get rain soon, everything will be ruined.”

Like Pokhrel, many farmers across the district are struggling to save their crops. Usually, by mid-July, rice transplanting would be in full swing. But this year, the dry soil has stopped the work. Some farmers have given up altogether, while others are holding out hope for rain. But as each day passes without rain, that hope begins to fade.

Sudeep Chaudhary, plant protection officer at the Directorate of Agriculture Development, Madesh Province, warns that if rain does not come within the next week, a large part of the rice crop could fail. This would lead not only to food shortages in local households but also to a drop in income for thousands of families who depend on farming.

In response, provincial officials have started assessing the damage and are planning to support farmers by providing drought-resistant seeds and improving access to water for irrigation. However, many farmers say help is coming too slowly.

“We need immediate help,” said Pokhrel. “We need water, pumps that work, and seeds that can grow even in dry conditions. Without that, we will face huge losses. For some families, this could mean going hungry.”

Local leaders and farming groups are now urging the federal government to take quick action. They are asking for emergency relief packages, funding for irrigation systems, and long-term plans to deal with the growing effects of climate change on farming.

As the sky remains cloudless and the sun continues to beat down, the farming communities of Dhanusha wait, watching the sky, hoping for rain, and fearing what might happen if it doesn’t come.

This crisis in Dhanusha is a reminder of how fragile agriculture can be in the face of changing weather. It also shows the urgent need for better support systems, more reliable irrigation, and stronger disaster response plans to protect the farmers who feed the nation.

Arrival of foreign tourists has been increasing every year in Manang district. 

According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Area Office, as many as 37,733 foreign tourists visited Manang district in the fiscal year 2024/25.

As per the data of Dharapani Tourist Check Point under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Office, Manang, total 2,554 tourists from SAARC countries and 35,178 tourists from other countries visited Manang in the last fiscal year.

Office Chief Dhak Bahadur Bhujel shared that tourists from 134 countries had the footfall in Manang district and the highest number of tourists were from Israel, which stands at 4,358, followed by 3,616 from France and 2,842 from Germany. 

Similarly, the number of those visiting Manang from abroad was 22,371 from 124 countries in fiscal year 2023/24. The French stood first in number. 

Locals here are dependent on agriculture and tourism business and the increasing arrival of foreign tourists has helped in economic growth of the district, thereby improving the nation's economy. 

Tourists have been found attracted to visit Manang as Annapurna trekking route, which is ranked as the 10th most dangerous trekking route in the world, lies in Manang. 

Manang has been the choice of the tourists as it has immense natural heritages and beauty. 

Conservation Education Assistant at ACAP, Bhupendra Gurung, mentioned that the number of domestic tourists visiting Manang is remarkable in the  recent period.

However, the erratic weather events coupled with climate change impact in the upper hilly and mountainous district, Manang, in recent years, is unleashing fear among local entrepreneurs whether they could retain the rise of foreign footfall in the district.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 31. 78 points to close at 2,902. 74 points on Monday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 6. 60 points to close at 504. 64 points.

A total of 35,649,211-unit shares of 311 companies were traded for Rs 16. 32 billion.

Meanwhile, Three Star Hydropower Limited (TSHL) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 9. 98 percent. Likewise, Green Development Bank Ltd. (GRDBL) and Saptakoshi Development Bank Ltd (SAPDBL) were the top losers as their price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 1. 64 trillion.

Karnali is emerging as a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists. Recent data shows that tourist arrivals in the province have increased by 11 percent, with around 550,000 visitors recorded over a six-month period.

This growth is attributed to the promotion of tourist sites, improved physical infrastructure, better road access, and the availability of quality hotels. Karnali boasts several major attractions, including Rara Lake—the largest in Nepal—along with Kankrevihar Temple, the Panchkoshi area, Shey-Phoksundo Lake, Kupinde and Bulbule Lakes, Pachal Falls, the historic Sinja civilization, and ancient palaces and temples. Additionally, Karnali has become a gateway to Tibet’s sacred Mansarovar, drawing more religious tourists.

A recent study conducted by the Nepal Rastra Bank’s Karnali Provincial Office in Surkhet examined tourism development and tourist flow in the province. According to the report, tourist activity in Karnali has seen a notable rise compared to previous years.

In the first six months of the last fiscal year, 550,000 tourists visited Karnali. Among them, Indian visitors increased by 12.82 percent, Chinese visitors by 3.69 percent, and tourists from other countries by 13.34 percent. Overall, tourist arrivals rose by 11.09 percent during this period. For comparison, Indian tourist numbers had grown by 8.64 percent in the previous fiscal year, while Chinese tourist arrivals saw a 14.4 percent rise in 2024/25.

Despite the encouraging numbers, the Nepal Rastra Bank emphasized the need for additional strategies to boost tourism in Karnali. The report suggests that with better management of transport (air and road), lodging facilities (hotels and homestays), and recreational offerings, the number of visitors could rise significantly. It also notes that investment in tourism infrastructure, backed by federal and provincial policies, could improve the living standards of Karnali residents.

Responding to the growth, the Karnali Provincial Government has prioritized tourism development. A Tourism Promotion and Development Committee has been formed to identify and promote potential destinations across the province. According to committee member Bhanubhakta Khadka, efforts are underway to implement a tourism circuit model with informational boards in all 10 districts.

Starting in fiscal year 2025/26, the government plans to develop sustainable infrastructure and enhance tourism services. Additionally, it is preparing to launch the ‘Gantabya Karnali’ app to provide visitors with detailed information on destinations and services throughout the region.