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Humla is currently in the grip of a long spell of drought. Due to the drought, the ready-to-harvest crops, including wheat in the fields of Bargaun, Thehe, Limatang, Torpa and other villages here have dried up.

Farmers of Simkot Rural Municipality-1, 2, 3 and 4 complained that the crops have been ruined due to drought.

In absence of alternative water arrangements, they are worried about cultivating another crop and eking out a livelihood for their families.

Gajima Lama, a resident of Simkot Rural Municipality-3, said famine might take place in absence of snow in the winter. 

There has been no snow this year, she said, adding that there may emerge a situation of starvation in the area.

Lama further voiced her complaint that she could not cultivate crops now due to lack of rain as it was already delayed to sow millet.

Gaugora Bohara, a farmer of Simkot Rural Municipality-2, Thehegaun said they could not cultivate chilies, corn, pumpkins and other vegetables in the wait for rain.

"Eight to 10 years ago, the fields were not dry like this, but the problem has arisen when there is no snow and rain in the winter season this year", he shared.

The World Red Cross Day is being observed by organizing several programs today with the slogan 'keeping humanity alive'.

The world celebrates World Red Cross Day, on May 8 every year to honor humanitarian works and principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. 

The day helps highlight the humanitarian values and activities of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

These associations play a crucial role in assisting and aiding people impacted by different natural disasters, armed conflicts, and different crises, everywhere.

It is the day when the legacy of Henry Dunant, the pioneering volunteer who founded the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement more than 160 years ago, is commemorated and respected.

Humanity has been weakening in the modern and tech-savvy world due to inter-country and inner wars, violence and discrimination. Likewise, frequent incidents of disaster, drought and famine due to the negative impacts of rising global temperature and climate change have also made the efforts for protecting humanity more pressing.

In this context, the theme of the year has been set to remind the people of the significance of compassion, love, affection, support, and treatment on this day.

In a message of best wishes on the occasion, Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Jagan Chapagain has called for elevated level of humanitarian service with the challenges mounting on keeping humanity alive.

Respect for international humanitarian law not only preserves the humanity of people affected by crises, it preserves our own humanity – both today and in the future, the message reads.

As an inseparable part of the Red Cross movement, Nepal Red Cross Society was founded on 19 Bhadra 2020 BS The Nepal Red Cross now has 1,615 sub-branches, including province offices in all seven provinces and district branch offices in all 77 districts, and 6,934 junior and youth circles across the country.

The community-based organization has a robust member base of 930,000 members.

The Nepal Red Cross has been annually offering its humanitarian services to over 2.5 million people.

IFRC's country representative for Nepal Ajmat Ulla informed that humanitarian support will continue in Nepal.

At least 27 people have lost their lives to fire, forest fire and lightning in the last 24 days.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the fatalities occurred between April 13 and May 6.

Some 18 people were killed in the fire, six in the forest fire and three in lightning strikes while 90 were injured in the incidents, the NDRRMA sources said.

Meanwhile, the Authority has also approved a procedure to provide financial assistance to the fire victims' families to build temporary houses. Earlier, such facilities were made available to the Gorkha earthquake victims.

Today is Matatirtha Aunsi. Mother's Day is being celebrated across the country with reverence, devotion and respect.

Mother's Day is observed on the occasion of Baishakh Krishna Aunsi. There has been a tradition to take bath in the morning, tenderly offer beautiful clothes and delicious foods to mothers and take blessings.

Those who do not have a mother remember her by performing shradda (a ritual to pay homage to the departed souls). There is a classical belief that one will get freed from maternal debt by doing so.

In the scriptures, the mother's place is considered higher even than the god. There is a classical value to keep the mother and father happy with respect when they are alive and to perform shradda with reverence after death.

A fair has been organized at Matatirtha Kunda (pond) of Chandragiri Municipality-6 in memory of the late mother since this morning.

It is believed that taking holy dip in the pond free one from maternal debt.