Unseasonal Rains Devastate Crops in Nepal

04-Dec-2025 03:36 PM

Kathmandu. Heavy unseasonal rains and severe flooding in many areas of Nepal, India's northern neighbor, have damaged agricultural crops worth more than 6.60 billion rupees (Nepali currency). This includes rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables, and many other important crops.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the torrential rains that occurred between November 1 and 3, 2025, alone destroyed crops worth approximately 3 billion rupees. Rice and vegetables suffered the most damage.

These heavy unseasonal rains are estimated to have damaged crops across 21,189 hectares in five provinces of Nepal, resulting in the loss of 84,802 tons of agricultural produce.

This includes rice, pulses, oilseeds, millets, potatoes, bananas, and other vegetables. The value of these damaged products in Nepalese currency is estimated to be more than 6.60 billion dollars.

The Ministry of Agriculture of Nepal has made the above estimate based on data provided by the agriculture departments of various states regarding damaged crops.

According to state reports, approximately 20 thousand hectares of paddy crops have been affected in Nepal's Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Kumbini provinces, resulting in a reduction of 75,674 tons of paddy production worth 2.66 billion rupees.

In such a situation, Nepal may have to import large quantities of rice, especially from India. Additionally, the import of pulses and edible oils may also increase. Pulses worth 13.88 crore rupees and oilseed crops worth 28.20 crore rupees have also been destroyed.