The Madhes Province government has declared the province a drought-hit zone following prolonged dry conditions that have severely affected paddy plantation, the state-run news agency RSS reported.

Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh confirmed that the decision was made during a meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Thursday evening, according to RSS. The cabinet has also decided to request a special relief package from the federal government to support affected farmers.

The provincial government has urged agriculture-related development partners to extend their support to mitigate the impact of the drought, added RSS. It has also decided to mobilize resources to address the shortage of drinking water in Birgunj and other areas across the province.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, nearly 50 percent of the country’s paddy cultivation relies entirely on monsoon rainfall. However, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology reported below-average rainfall in parts of the eastern and central Tarai, including Janakpur, Simara, and Biratnagar.

In Madhes Province, only 93,468 hectares of farmlands have been planted with paddy so far this year out of a total of 372,645 hectares—just 25.08 percent—compared to 25.5 percent during the same period last year. In contrast, Sudurpaschim Province has seen 82.8 percent of its paddy land planted, with 145,932 hectares cultivated out of 176,151 hectares.

This year, the monsoon entered eastern Nepal on June 9, about 15 days later than usual, and spread across the country by June 20. Nepal’s monsoon season typically lasts from June to September, but Madhes Province has reported significantly below-average rainfall this year.

Read: Lack of Rain, Fertiliser Hits Paddy Transplantation in Madhes