Monsoon season in Nepal has taken a meandering path so far this year.

Some parts of the country are still experiencing a severe and prolonged drought. Madhesh province, in the eastern part of the Terai plains near the Indian border, is particularly badly affected.

This has had a devastating effect on rural livelihoods. With the failure of monsoon rains, farmers have been unable to irrigate their fields, leading to large-scale crop failure and increasing risks of hunger, malnutrition, and loss of income, especially among poor and marginalised communities.

Alongside this, rainfall in hilly areas has still been causing landslides, including damage to bridges and roads in various parts of the country.

Despite the lack of rain in some parts of the country over recent weeks, 80% of Nepal’s annual rainfall comes between June and September.

Last year’s monsoon brought the heaviest rain for 77 years, and predictions for this year have been for above-average rainfall that could affect about 2 million people.

In some ways, the worst could be still to come.

Recent weather forecasts indicate a delayed but intense monsoon season may still occur in the coming weeks. Heavy and unpredictable rainfall at this stage could trigger flash floods and further damage to already vulnerable communities.

Thank you for the Monsoon Appeal support

Thank you so much to all those who have already donated to our Nepal Monsoon Appeal.

We are in regular contact about the situation in Nepal with our partner Asal Chhimekee Nepal (ACN), who are vastly experienced in responding to natural disasters.

We have agreed with ACN for them to use some of this support for monsoon response to help people affected by the on-going drought in the Rautahat district of south-eastern Nepal.

This includes providing electric water pumps to help 250 families irrigate their land so rice crops can be planted despite the lack or recent rainfall. As well as helping feed those families and generating much-needed income, the pumps will also help them become more resilient to the risk of any future rainfall shortages.

Please give what you can today. Your support will ensure that ACN can help those affected by droughts, as well as being prepared for the significant risk of monsoon-related disasters that could happen over the next few weeks.