KATHMANDU, July 27 -- A prolonged dry spell has pushed Madhesh Province to the brink of a food crisis, with only 51 percent of paddy fields planted so far-at a time when the season should be nearing completion. The lack of timely rainfall and absence of irrigation have left vast stretches of farmland barren, and even fields that have been planted are cracking under the scorching sun.

Paddy fields across key rice-producing districts-Sarlahi, Mahottari, Siraha, Dhanusha, and Saptari-remain largely untouched. "Of the 372,000 hectares suitable for rice cultivation in Madhesh, only 192,000 hectares have been planted," said Prakash Kumar Sanjel, Director General at the Department of Agriculture. "Worse still, planted fields are developing deep...