Cyclone Arnab Chaos: Nepal's Farmers Race Against Rain to Save Harvest
Cyclone Arnab pushes heavy rains into Nepal, threatening paddy harvests and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers in the Himalayan nation.
In the terraced fields of Bungmati, a desperate race against time is unfolding. Farmers are working frantically to harvest their ripe paddy, their eyes constantly scanning the horizon for the first sign of rain. The cause of their anxiety is Cyclone Arnab, which, after making landfall along India's Bay of Bengal coast, has pushed moisture-laden clouds deep into the landlocked Himalayan nation of Nepal.
A Race Against the Clouds
For the farmers on the outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley, the timing of this rainfall is catastrophic. While Nepal relies on the Bay of Bengal for the clouds that bring essential rain, the arrival of heavy precipitation during the harvest period puts the entire year's labor at risk.
Seema Shakya KC, a local farmer, describes the precarious situation. She explains that under normal conditions, paddies dry within seven to ten days to become consumable. However, unexpected rain prolongs this process. Without sufficient sunlight, the crop suffers; some parts turn green while others turn black, ruining the quality of the grain.
To mitigate the damage, Seema and her helpers are leaping from one plot to another, harvesting as quickly as possible to ensure the produce is ready for threshing before the weather turns.
Warnings of Severe Weather
The urgency in the fields is backed by official alarms. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has issued a high-alert warning, predicting a volatile mix of heavy rainfall, lightning, windstorms, and even snowfall. These conditions are expected to impact several provinces, including:
- Koshi
- Madhes
- Bagmati
- Gandaki
- Lumbini
For farmers like Binita Tuladhar, the threat is more than just a weather report—it is a threat to her survival. As she lays her paddy to dry in her front yard, she warns that if the grain becomes too moist, it will begin to germinate, rendering the crop useless and wasting a full year of hard work.
The Economic Stakes for Nepal
The anxiety felt in Bungmati reflects a larger national vulnerability. Paddy is not just a crop; it is the backbone of Nepal's food security and rural economy. The scale of its importance is evident in the numbers:
Agriculture's Role in the Economy
- GDP Contribution: The agricultural sector contributes between 21.6% and 24.0% of Nepal's Gross Domestic Product.
- Employment: Approximately 60% to 62% of the national workforce is employed in this sector.
- Livelihoods: Between 62% and 66% of Nepalese households rely on agriculture as their primary source of income.
The Weight of Paddy Production
Paddy alone is a massive driver of the economy, contributing roughly 24% to the nation's GDP. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the crop is cultivated across 1,375,872 hectares. Last year, the nation's paddy production reached a staggering 5,705,126 metric tons.
As the golden fields of the Terai and mid-hills reach maturity in late October, the accelerating frequency of tropical cyclonic events continues to place the livelihoods of millions of Nepalese farmers on the edge of disaster.