Make Forecast Accurate
Summary
Unreliable rainfall forecasts have left Nepali farmers struggling after heavy rain damaged harvested paddy crops across several areas. The article calls for better tools and local-level accuracy in weather prediction to reduce losses and protect agriculture.
Key Points
- Nepali farmers suffered losses after cutting paddy based on a forecast that predicted only light showers or drizzle, but heavy rain soaked harvested crops and damaged ripe grain.
- The article says farmers in Nepal already face repeated hardships from fertiliser shortages, labour costs, market problems, and weather risks during planting and harvesting seasons.
- Weather forecasting in Nepal has improved over the past 20 years, with better satellite images, automated stations, numerical models, and foreign data, but local-level prediction remains difficult because of varied terrain.
- The government is urged to provide better tools and support to the meteorology department to reduce crop damage and prevent natural calamities.
