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Chitwan, a district in the Bagmati Province, has not received adequate rainfall this monsoon, even as the third week of July has passed. 

The delayed monsoon has adversely affected rain-dependent agriculture, particularly paddy transplantation. 

Farmers who had managed to transplant paddy using irrigation are now worrying as recently planted seedlings are drying up in the fields.

Water levels in local sources, including rivers and streams, have dropped considerably, creating further challenges in managing irrigation.

In western Chitwan, under the Bharatpur Metropolitan City, farmers primarily rely on the Narayani Lift Irrigation System for irrigation. However, due to a sharp decline in water levels in the Khageri River, many farmers who previously used this water source have now turned to the Narayani system for irrigation. 

As a result, water from the Narayani River is being diverted into the Khageri Canal to support irrigation efforts in the affected areas.

Kularaj Chalise, Chief of the Narayani Lift and Khageri Irrigation Management Division Office, stated that water from the Narayani River is being released into the Khageri Canal 24 hours a day in response to growing demand from farmers.

“With the delay in rainfall, we havehad to regulate canal operations more intensively,” Chalise said. “Under the Narayani Lift Irrigation Project, irrigation is being provided to 4,700 hectares of land, where 90% of paddy transplantation has already been completed."

The 3,900 hectares of land has been covered by the Khageri Irrigation Project in Devnagar, Gitanagarm and Parbatipur. It has so far witnessed the completion of only 70% of paddy transplantation. 

Areas such as Sharadanagar, Shibanagar, Parbatipur, and Jayanagar are among the worst affected by the rainfall deficit. 

Farmers are also turning to underground water sources for irrigation, though this is proving insufficient in many cases.

Farmers said that though the use of underground water provided support for irrigation, it has not been sufficient. 

As they report, due to low electricity voltage, they are able to operate tube wells only during the night which further limits irrigation capacity. 

Khilaraj Regmi, Vice Chair of the Khageri Irrigation Project Users Committee and a farmer himself, said that the drought has significantly delayed paddy transplantation. “Water supplied through the Narayani Lift has been a respite, but it hasn’t fully addressed the needs." 

Due to limited water availability, farmers are accessing canal water on a rotational and rationalized basis. 

Purna Bahadur Ranabhat, Chair of the Narayani Lift Irrigation Consumers’ Committee, added that the prolonged dry conditions have led to the wilting of transplanted seedlings.

According to the District Agriculture Development Office, 87.60% of paddy transplantation has been completed so far in Chitwan. 

Office Chief Jhalaknath Kandel reported that the western belt of Bharatpur Metropolitan City has been most affected by the lack of rainfall, with seedlings beginning to dry up in several areas.

At least 11 people lost their lives to wild animal attacks in Chitwan National Park in the last fiscal year 2024/2025.

The highest number of casualties was due to rhino attacks, with eight people losing their lives to the endangered animal. 

Similarly, two people lost their lives in attacks by elephants and one due to tiger attack, Park’s Information Officer Abinash Thapa Magar said. 

During the same period, 41 people were injured in wild animal attacks. 

Of the injured, 32 were seriously injured and nine suffered minor injuries.

The animals attacked the people, who had gone to collect green fodder, firewood and niguro or fiddlehead fern in the forest inside the Park.

In the last five years, 73 people have lost their lives to wild animal attacks in Chitwan National Park, with 169 people injured.

A man died in a crocodile attack in Budhirapti river, Chitwan district on Thursday night. 

According to the District Police Office, Chitwan, the deceased has been identified as Abhisek Majhi (27) of Chitrasari, Ratnagar Municipality-8.

The incident occurred when Majhi had gone to the Budhirapti river for fishing last night along with his friend, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rabindra Khanal  said.

Seven cases of malaria were detected in Chitwan district in the current fiscal year. 

Such a number of malaria patients was found in the course of conducting a sample test of 7,989 people who visited the District Public Health Office, Chitwan, for the suspected malaria infection. 

Vector Control Inspector Ram KC said the infection was seen in the people returned from overseas employment. A total of 10 people were infected from malaria last fiscal year. 

Specially, people aged above 15 years suffer from this disease. 

Malaria is mostly transmitted to people from the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. 

Fever, headache, vomiting, and tiredness are symptoms of malaria.  

KC said it was necessary to keep the surroundings clean, sleep under mosquito nets to be protected from mosquito bites.

An elderly man died in a rhino attack in Chitwan.

The deceased has been identified as Jange Kumal (60) of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-28 in Chitwan.

Kumal, who was critically injured in the attack while fishing in the Rapti River behind the Meghouli Serai Hotel on Sunday night, died while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bharatpur, DSP Rabindra Khanal, spokesperson at the Distrct Police Office, said. 

Police said that they are looking into the case.

An Indian tourist, who came to visit Manakamana temple, died after falling in the toilet.

Mannu Prasad Bhatt (62) of Palanpur, Gujarat died after falling in the toilet at the Manakamana cable car station in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality–4, Chitwan district.

According to Police Inspector Pratik Singh of the Area Police Office in Muglin, Bhatt, who was found unconscious, was brought to the Ichchhakamana Basic Hospital in Kurintar for treatment, where the doctors declared him dead.

The body has been taken to Bharatpur Hospital for postmortem.

A 25-year-old man was found dead in a swimming pool in Chitwan on Monday night.

According to Rabindra Khanal, Information Officer at the District Police Office, Lokesh Mahato of Bharatpur metropolis-22, was found dead in the swimming pool at the Dahakhani-based View Resort in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality-7.

It has been reported that he had gone swimming with his colleagues, who later found him dead.  

Following the incident, police have detained them for further investigation into the case.

A person killed his daughter and nephew by attacking them with a sharp weapon in Chitwan on Friday.

Leela Raj Giri (42) of Bharatpur Metropolitan City also tried to kill himself after murdering his daughter and nephew.

Giri attacked his seven-year-old daughter Prabha Giri and five-year-old nephew while they were getting ready for school, said Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, Govinda Puri. 

All of them were brought to Chitwan Medical College for treatment where the two children died during the course of treatment while the condition of Giri is serious, added Puri.

Giri is a former soldier and was reportedly suffering from mental illness, said Puri.

The bird census conducted in the wetlands in eastern Chitwan has concluded with the recordings of the presence of 55 species.

The census was held in collaboration with the Bird Education Society and Nepalese Ornithological Union on January 6-7.

This time, two more species of birds:  Kalo Tauke Ganga Chil (Black-headed Gull) and Raja Gangachil (Pallas's Gull) were found here, according to Bird Education Society's education coordinator ornithologist Basu Bidari.

The census was conducted along the area from Lothar to Darai Botetal, from Gaidhawa (Jindagani Ghat) to Saurahaghat, Saurahaghat to Kasara Bridge, Tamor Lake, Lami Lake, Bish Hajari Lake, Bhandara Machhapokhare, Budhi Rapti Dhungare river and Patana Lake.

A total of 7,150 birds were traced during the census and among them, 4107 were ruddy shelducks.

Comparatively this time, the population of shelducks has slightly decreased as they numbered 4,304 last year. 

Increasing pollution, water-base extractions and increasing human movement and encroachment have been noticed as growing threats to birds' habitats.

In areas where pollution is less, relatively more birds have been found. 

The Society has been conducting the census of birds since 1987. The census of aquatic birds takes place in 35 countries in East Asia, including in Nepal, in January.

So far, 652 species of birds have been recorded in Chitwan and this year 159 species have been traced while the species of bird dependent on water is 55.

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) cadres have clashed with police in Chitwan today. The skirmish took place as the RSP party workers were staging a demonstration calling for the release of RSP President Rabi Lamichhane.

Eight policemen have sustained injuries in the course of the clash, said Gautam Mishra, the Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office Chitwan. The clash occurred as the demonstrators tried to block the way leading to the Government Attorney Office.

SP Mishra said the police had to use teargas and water cannons to stop the demonstrators after they started throwing stones at the police.  The injured police personnel are undergoing treatment at Bharatpur Hospital.

"Police have not used force. The eight policemen have been injured due to stones thrown by the demonstrators," SP Mishra said.

According to him, the clash ensued after the demonstrators breached the prohibited area in front of the District Police Office while calling for Lamichhane's release.

RSP Chitwan President Krishna Bhusal said 16 demonstrators have been injured in the clash and they are being treated at the Bharatpur Community Hospital, the Narayani Community Hospital, the Dev Hospital, among other health facilities.

The Government Attorney Office is recording statements of the RSP President in a case of cooperative fraud.

Police on Tuesday brought Lamichhane to Chitwan from Kathmandu to record his statement as he faces charges of misappropriating the money of depositors at the Sahara Cooperatives here.

The RSP President faces charges of siphoning off Rs 108 million from Sahara Cooperatives to Gorkha Media where he was the Managing Director.

In recent times, cooperatives have faced criticism, but women-led initiatives have proven their potential to succeed. The Women’s Small Farmers Agricultural Cooperative Organization, located in Khairahani Municipality-10, Kathar, Chitwan, stands as a testament to this success.  

While savings and credit cooperatives often face challenges, most agricultural cooperatives, like this one, operate efficiently. According to Managing Director Purnamaya Adhikari, the cooperative’s strength lies in its honesty, transparency, and the commitment of its all-women membership.  

When asked about achieving a 100 percent loan recovery rate, Adhikari said, “A woman cannot succeed without family support. Women are generally more cautious about debt. They ensure loans are utilized properly, knowing they must repay them to maintain their social standing.”

Adhikari explained that loans are issued only after thorough discussions in group meetings held at the ward level, in the presence of cooperative employees. The process includes monitoring the purpose and progress of the borrowers, ensuring funds are used effectively.  

The cooperative, which has 1,835 female members, also allowed five widowers to join after their wives' deaths. It has transformed 125 members into entrepreneurial farmers and supported 195 in animal husbandry and agriculture, while 235 have ventured into other businesses.  

The cooperative provides loans at 14 percent interest for education, real estate, and vehicles, but rural enterprise loans are offered at a concessional nine percent interest rate. Through the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Rural Enterprise Finance Project, members can access loans of up to Rs 5m at subsidized rates. The cooperative itself received Rs 20m for setting up a rice mill, which processes and packages locally grown rice.  

The mill has resolved long-standing issues of market access and unfair pricing for farmers. Local farmer Kamala Bhandari shared her experience: “After the mill started, we didn’t have to search for buyers or accept unfair prices. I’ve been able to send my children to school with my agricultural income, and they’re now employed.”

Cooperative President Geeta KC highlighted how rural enterprise loans have empowered members by eliminating middlemen and ensuring fair prices. She remarked, “Previously, farmers suffered from middlemen’s exploitation. The subsidized loan enabled us to run the mill and secure fair prices for our members.”

The ADB’s National Director for Nepal, Arno Koshwa, praised the initiative, saying it has commercialized farming and liberated farmers from exploitative practices. “Business requires investment, knowledge, and skills, and this cooperative has successfully combined all three,” Koshwa said during a project monitoring visit.  

The Women’s Small Farmers Agricultural Cooperative Organization is not just a strong example of women’s empowerment but also a model for agricultural cooperatives striving for sustainability and farmer welfare.

One more person has died from dengue infection in Chitwan.

The deceased has been identified as a 41-year-old man from Chanauli of Bharatpur Metropolitan city-20.

He died during the course of treatment at the Bharatpur Hospital on Tuesday.

He had a fever when he visited the hospital for treatment on Friday and was admitted to the hospital with a ventilator support, according to Dr Kalyan Sapkota, a senior physician at Bharatpur Hospital.

He said the man had a severe case of dengue and died from multi-organ failure followed by excessive internal bleeding.

On Saturday, a 63-year-old man from Bharatpur-2 succumbed to the dengue fever at Chitwan Medical College.

Among the patients who came for treatment in various hospitals of the district, 588 people have been diagnosed with dengue infection.

Out of the 2,394 patients who came to the hospital, 588 were found to be infected with dengue. Of the infected, 417 are from Chitwan, while 171 are from outside the district, informed Ram KC, vector controller of Public Health Office, Chitwan.

He said, “Mosquitoes bite two hours before sunrise and two hours before sunset. Those who come in contact with mosquitoes more during that time are at risk of infection." Since July, 236 people have been infected with dengue in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality.

Similarly, 107 people have been infected in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-11 in Khairhani, 49 in Ratnanagar, three in Madi, three in Rapti and eight in Kalika Municipality, KC informed.

According to him, there are 225 women and 192 men among the infected people found in the district.

KC said that dengue is seen especially in August and October because it creates a favorable environment for mosquitoes when there will be rain and sun shine simultaneously. He said, "Now the infection has started to be seen since the beginning of July."

Police have arrested four people on the charge of killing a rhino in Chitwan.

Chitwan National Park's Chief Conservation Officer Dil Bahadur Purja Pun said that they were arrested on the charge of killing a rhino by snaring it in an electric trap at Bharatpur Metropolitan City-26 in Chitwan district recently.

According to Pun, a 13-year-old female pachyderm was found dead in an electric snare that was planted by the villagers to capture wild boars that frequented fields near settlement and ate up crops including maize.

Further investigation into the incident was underway, he said.

At first it appeared that the rhino died due to natural causes but an autopsy of the dead one revealed that it died of electrocution. Police held four persons suspected of killing the pachyderm.

"Although the horns and hooves of the protected animal are safe, activities like injuring, chasing and killing wild animals fall under the smuggling," he explained.

Two suspected ones were arrested on July 23 and two others nabbed on July 25 as part of the investigation. The arrested ones are remanded for additional six days under the Act relating to the Protected Wildlife Smuggling.

The Act has a provision of fine ranging from Rs 500 thousand to Rs 1 million and imprisonment for a term from 5 to 15 years for those involved in such activities.

A female endangered one-horned rhino was found dead at Bhagadi, Bharatpur Metropolitan City-26 in the buffer zone of the Chitwan National Park today.

Park information officer Ganesh Prasad Tiwari said that the carcass of a female rhino was found at the Park's Kalabanjar Buffer Zone Users Community Forest. According to him, the horn and hooves of the dead rhino are intact and no signs of wounds are seen on the animal's body. Similarly, no suspicious articles were found at the location.

Based on this, Tiwari said, the rhino might have died of natural causes, probably due to age.

A team of veterinarians from the CNP has already reached the site and the cause of the rhino's death will be known after the team carries out a postmortem, he said.

As many as 115 people were killed in various road accidents in Chitwan in a year.

The human casualties took place during the last fiscal year from mid-July 2023 to mid-July 2024.

The highway sections saw a higher number of accidents and fatalities than those on the inner roads in the district. Among the deceased, 92 were men, 19 women and four children. A total of 445 vehicles had met with accidents during the period.

Chief of the District Traffic Police Office, Suresh Subedi said 832 people were injured in the road mishaps.

A total of 250 vehicles had met with accidents on inner roads of the district in the last one year. At least 50 people were killed and 382 others injured in road accidents in the interior area. At least 57 people were killed in road accidents along the East-West Highway, Narayangadh-Muglin road section and Prithvi Highway.

At least 26 people were killed and 204 others injured in 96 accidents along the East-West Highway. Similarly, 21 people were killed in 55 accidents on the Narayangadh-Muglin road section. A total of 151 people were injured in the incidents, according to the Chitwan traffic official data.

At least 10 people were killed and 62 others injured in 18 road accidents along the Prithvi Highway in Chitwan. A total of 26 accidents occurred in the urban road section of the district during the same period.

Eight people were killed and 33 others injured in the accident. A total of 303 vehicles met with accidents in the district in the fiscal year 2079/80 BS.

A total of 78 people were killed and 581 others injured in the accidents. Subedi said, "No matter how much work has been done to reduce vehicle accidents, it has not been effective". A total of 663 vehicles had met with road mishaps in the district in the last fiscal year.