Nepal, July 31 -- Ali Shekh, a farmer from Pipariya in ward 2 of Kabilasi Municipality in Sarlahi, usually cultivates paddy on four bigha (2.21 hectares) of land. His harvest not only feeds his family but also yields around 150 quintals for sale each year.

The income from those sales sustains his household. But his fields remain fallow this year, and the delayed paddy transplanting has him worried about major production losses.

With August just two days away, much of the farmland across Madhesh remains dry. Seedlings are withering from a lack of water, and many farmers, like Ali, fear they themselves may have to buy rice this year.

"I used to grow and sell rice every year. I may have to buy it for my family this time," he said. "Managi...