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July rainfall more than normal
- Boosts paddy plantation nationwide
KATHMANDU, AUG 05 -
Despite the delayed monsoon followed by a dry spell, most parts of the country received average rainfall last month favouring paddy plantation across the nation.
According to Meteorological Forecasting Division (MFD), most parts of the country, particularly the western region received more than normal rainfall last month.
MED Chief Mani Ratna Shakya said the western districts received around 120 to 150 percent rainfall, while most eastern districts witnessed about 110 percent in the month of July.
Rainfall was around 20 percent less than normal in June. Apart from brief thundershowers and scanty rainfall in a few eastern and central districts, the rest of the country was deprived of rain in that month. Meanwhile, Kathmandu measured around 99.9 percent rainfall in July, according to data.
“Unlike previous years, some places received heavy monsoon rain while it was scanty in other locations,” said Shakya, adding, “Overall rainfall distribution in the month of July was not satisfactory across the country”.
According to him, the climatic condition is predicted favourable for rain for the next couple of days. “Assessing the rainfall patterns during the monsoon in the past decade, we have witnessed good rainfall shift from July to August,” Shakya said.
The satisfactory rainfall pattern has also increased the total paddy plantation land from 77 percent or 1.19 million hectares (out of 1.55 million hectares) in the third week of July to around 85 percent by the end of the first week of August, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC).
MoAC data shows that total paddy plantation was around 45 percent by the end of July last year.
The ministry will publish its weekly report mentioning the status of paddy plantation on Friday.
Hari Dahal, spokesperson and joint-secretary at MoAC, said, although the country is experiencing inadequate monsoon rains even during the wettest months, the total area covered by paddy plantation is comparatively higher this year.
“We hope the production will increase this year with moderate rainfall during July and August,” he said.
He said that the weather is still favourable for paddy plantation in the Tarai region, which constitutes 74 percent of the country’s paddy cultivation.
Most mid-hill and mountainous districts, such as Dolpa, Mugu, Humla, Jumla, Pyuthan, Bajura and Salyan—which are also among food deficit districts—have already planted crops in almost all cultivable areas, while rice has been planted in 85 to 90 percent of the cultivable land in Kalikot, Solukhumbu, Bajura, Bajhang and Darchula.
However, inadequate rainfall has affected paddy plantation in some eastern districts, particularly Siraha, Saptari and Mahottari.
Posted on: 2010-08-06 08:51
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