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The country recorded almost 79 percent of paddy seedlings transplantation until Sunday, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development shared. 

Last year, paddy seedlings transplantation was 92.6 percent during the same period.  

As per the reports collected by the Ministry on Sunday, paddy transplantation is still taking place in some parts of the country. 

Among the provinces, Sudurpaschim is leading with 98.94 percent of its target already completed, while paddy transplantation is completed in 91.38 percent of the target in Karnali Province, according to the Ministry.

Paddy transplantation is completed in 80.39 percent in Koshi Province, 87.19 percent in Bagmati Province, 85.3 percent in Gandaki Province and 92 percent in Lumbini Province.     

However, the Madhes Province, the key area for paddy production in the country, recorded just 51.83 percent of its target in the paddy seedlings transplantation due to the longstanding drought this year.   

Tarai region is the most fertile and produces about 70 percent of the country’s total paddy, while the hilly regions contribute the remaining 30 percent.

During the previous Fiscal Year 2024/25, the country had witnessed a total rice production of 5.724 million metric tonnes. 

Unfavorable weather conditions, natural disasters, excessive rainfall, and droughts create adversities for paddy seedlings transplantation, deferring the schedule in some areas.

According to the ministry, 10 percent change in rice production can lead to about  1 percent change in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Thousands of Bolbam pilgrims have thronged Sundarijal early morning today, the second Monday of Shrawan month, for the Bolbam yatra.

The Bolbam devotees bring the sacred water from Sundarijal and offer it at the Pashupathinath Temple in the month of Shrawan every year.

Bolbam Kanwariya Association and Sanatan Yuwa Manch have organized the Bolbam yatra from Sundarijal to Pashupati today. 

Likewise, arrangements have been made for Bolbam devotees to offer water at the Pashupati Area too.

As many  as 10,000 devotees are expected to participate in today's Bolbam yatra, according to the Nepal Police Range at Sundarijal. 

Member Secretary of Pashupati Area Development Trust Suvashchandra Joshi said that all four doors of the Pashupatinath Temple have been opened from 3 am today for the devotees.

An organization funded by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has pledged to support the Madhes Province that presently bears the brunt of prolonged drought.  

The government had declared the Province a crisis-ridden zone last Wednesday, publicly appealing for relief and assistance there. 

Prior to this, the Madhes Province government had recommended the federal government for this announcement. 

Subsequently, Start Fund Nepal being operated under the UK government has, in coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation, has expressed commitment to implementing the relief and aid programs targeting the Madhes/Tarai region. According to the Secretariat of the Madhes Province, the programs will be implemented at 10 local levels of Parsa, Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Siraha and Saptari districts adversely affected by the drought. The schemes will be in place for 60 days where over 44,000 citizens of 8,355 households will be benefitted.  

There will be three-phase implementations, spending the budget of Rs 26.03 million. The supplies of water for emergencies, the feasibility for digging boreholes and the strengthening of irrigation systems and durable water supply systems will be focused during the aid programme.

Similarly, 'cash for work' initiative under livelihood restoration efforts and the technical aid in the irrigation repair and alternative crops promotion will be prioritized under the aid programs, according to press advisor to the Chief Minister, Awadesh Jha.

The Beni-Jomsom road section that connects Mustang district to the national highway has been obstructed due to a dry landside on Sunday. 

Vehicular movement has come to a standstill following the dry landslide that took place at Ghoptebhir area, the border of Annapurna Rural Municipality in Myagdi district and Thasang Rural Municipality in Mustang district.

Efforts are underway to resume the traffic by clearing the landslide debris, said Tej Bahadur Kumal, the Chief of the Sapma Police Post, Ghansa. 

Following the road obstruction, the direct transport network of Mustang district has been disconnected. 

Locals as well as tourists visiting Mustang district and returning from Mustang have been affected due to the road obstruction. 

People heading towards Mustang have been stopped at Kavre of Myagdi while those arriving at Myagdi from Mustang at Ghansa.