PM Oli Visits Drought-Hit Madhesh, Declares Province a Disaster Zone
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has declared the entire Madhesh Province a disaster-hit zone for the next three months, following a severe drought that’s left fields dry and farmers desperate.
The decision came after a meeting of the Council of Ministers on July 23, and it allows the government to mobilize emergency resources and begin relief work immediately.
PM Oli visited some of the worst-affected areas in the Terai plains this week, where he met with local officials, community leaders, and farmers struggling to keep their crops alive.
“This drought is not just a weather problem — it’s affecting people’s livelihoods, food security, and future,” Oli said during his field inspection. “We’re treating this as a national priority.”
Rainfall in the region has been far below average, and the impact is already being felt. Paddy fields are drying up. Wells and tube wells are running low. Many farmers say they’ve never seen a drought like this in decades.
In districts like Sarlahi, Rautahat, and Dhanusha, farmers are worried they might not recover without help. Some are already considering migrating to nearby towns or even across the border to India in search of work.
The government has promised immediate relief — including drinking water support, farming subsidies, and the acceleration of irrigation projects.
But locals say the help can’t come fast enough.
“We planted paddy thinking the rains would come, but they never did,” said Ramji Yadav, a farmer from Mahottari. “Now we just watch the land crack and dry.”
Monsoon Rain Soaks Kathmandu, More Wet Weather Ahead Across Nepal
Rainfall has made a return to the Valley, and it's likely to stick around for a while. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted light to moderate rain throughout the day in Kathmandu, with the possibility of heavier showers in some areas.
The skies have stayed mostly overcast since morning, and occasional rain has already begun affecting traffic and daily routines in several parts of the city. Commuters are being advised to travel with caution, as waterlogging in low-lying areas is expected.
But it’s not just the capital that’s getting drenched.
Ongoing monsoon activity is triggering widespread rain across the hills and plains of the country. Weather officials have warned of possible landslides in the hilly regions and flooding in parts of the southern Terai, where rivers are rising due to continuous rainfall.
“People living near rivers, steep slopes, or flood-prone zones should stay alert,” a spokesperson from the Meteorological Forecasting Division said. “We may see more intense rain over the next few days.”
Districts in Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpashchim Provinces are particularly at risk, and local authorities have been asked to remain on standby.
With rain expected to continue, authorities are also reminding citizens to follow weather alerts and avoid traveling to high-risk areas unless necessary.
US-Bangla Airlines Denies Ordered Payout Over 2018 Kathmandu Crash
US-Bangla Airlines has come forward to deny reports claiming a Kathmandu court ordered it to pay $2.74 million in compensation to families of the victims of its 2018 plane crash in Nepal.
The airline has called the media coverage “false and imaginary,” saying no such ruling has been issued by any court in Kathmandu.
“We’re shocked by this misinformation,” said the airline in a statement released earlier this week. “There is no legal basis for these claims, and we are exploring legal options against those spreading false information.”
The reports, which surfaced in several Nepali outlets, suggested that the compensation would be distributed among 17 families affected by the crash of Flight BS211 in March 2018. The flight, arriving from Dhaka, crashed on landing at Tribhuvan International Airport, killing 51 people and leaving many others injured.
That crash remains one of the worst aviation tragedies in Nepal in recent years.
US-Bangla said it continues to engage with families and authorities in accordance with international civil aviation protocols but stressed that legal outcomes should not be distorted in the media.
So far, Nepal’s judiciary has not released any official statement confirming a court-ordered payout related to the incident.
