KATHMANDU, Nepal - Meteorologists announced that Nepal experienced below-average rainfall during the current monsoon, which is expected to last about a week.

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the country has received 1,249.3 mm of rain since June, accounting for 84 percent of the season's average.

According to officials, most Tarai districts received below-average rainfall this monsoon.

As of Friday, Dhanusha and some other districts in the Madhesh Province had received around 55 percent of the season's average, Dhangadhi of Kailali and Banke, Bhairahawa of Rupandehi, and Simara of Bara district had received less than 80 percent, Dhankuta had received less than 70 percent, and Dang had received less than 65 percent.

In the districts, a lack of adequate rainfall has not only hampered the cultivation of all arable lands but has also prevented farmers from planting crops on time. As a result, agricultural yield will suffer.

Due to a lack of irrigation infrastructure, those in the districts mentioned above, like most farmers in Nepal, rely heavily on rainfall to cultivate their crops. Rice cultivation necessitates an abundance of water. According to experts, this year's below-average rain in these areas will hurt food production.

"With only a week left in the monsoon, we don't know how much more rain will fall," Humagain said.

According to Department of Agriculture officials, all indicators about agricultural goods production are negative, except for the availability of chemical fertilizers.

"Below-average rainfall, late monsoon, dry spell in mid-monsoon, and late crop plantation have impacted agriculture production," said Sunil Kumar Singh, the department's information officer.

"Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development agencies forecast their estimates in the coming days." Chemical fertilizer availability did not become an issue this year, but all other indicators are negative."