Mahottari: The flood that breached the embankment of the Rato River on October 5 and 6 has resulted in the inundation and damage of paddy crops over approximately 2,000 hectares of land across nine local levels in Mahottari district.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Chief of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Devananda Yadav, reported that detailed assessments from nine out of the fifteen local levels in the district have been received. The flood infamously submerged and spoiled paddy fields, with Mahottari rural municipality witnessing the largest area of impact, where 600 hectares of paddy were damaged. Other affected areas include Balawa municipality with 500 hectares, Matihani and Ekdara municipalities each with 300 hectares, Loharpatti municipality with 100 hectares, Bhangaha municipality with 86 hectares, Aurahi municipality with 23 hectares, Gaushala municipality with 20 hectares, and Sonama rural municipality with 10 hectares of paddy affected.
In addition to paddy, the Agriculture Knowledge Centre highlighted that sugarcane on 1,290 hectares, vegetables on 636 hectares, and lentils on 153 hectares were also ravaged by the floodwaters. The Centre had requested detailed reports of agricultural losses from each local level, but only nine have responded with their assessments so far.