Climate wounds of Madhes: A crisis we chose to ignore
Summary
In 2025, Nepal's Madhes region faced extreme climate impacts—drought followed by floods—that severely damaged crops and threatened national food security, exposing the need for sustainable water management and better early warning systems.
Key Points
- Madhes experienced extreme drought and floods in 2025, severely impacting agriculture and water supply.
- Crop losses in Madhes reached Rs 2.98 billion with nearly 100,000 metric tons lost, threatening Nepal's food security.
- Unregulated sand and gravel extraction aggravated water retention problems, increasing drought and flood risks.
- Existing government measures focus on short-term solutions like deep borings, neglecting sustainable water management and local knowledge.
- The article advocates for integrated water management, restoring wetlands, supporting traditional irrigation, and effective early warning systems to build resilience.
