Kathmandu, March 3 -- Nepal witnessed a prolonged drought this year since the withdrawal of monsoon in the second week of October.

According to data provided by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, only 14.4 mm of rainfall, which is 24 percent of the season's average rainfall, occurred in the three months of winter (December 1 to February 28).

"Most districts that witnessed rain during the winter months are from the Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces," said Bibhuti Pokhrel, spokesperson for the department. "Other places witnessed very little to no rainfall. There has been no rain for around five months, creating drought conditions."

Generally, the country witnesses 60 mm of rainfall on average during winter. Though rainfall occ...