Mugu, January 20
Settlements in Mugu district have turned into deserts of sorts due to extreme drought conditions. In the absence of rainfall for six months, summer crop yield has decreased by 55 per cent. Eighty-five per cent of cultivable land, where winter crops used to be planted, is lying fallow. Due to the prolonged drought, people of Mugu are grappling with famine.
There’s an acute shortage of food in 12 of the 24 village development committees in Mugu. Many youths have started heading to India with summer crop yield decreasing and seeds of winter crops not even germinating. In the absence of youths, villages wear a deserted look.
Local people say they had never before experienced such a severe drought like this one. According to statistics available at district food security network, Bhihi, Natharpu, Hyanglu, Jima, Kalai, Kot Danda VDCs have been severely affected, while 12 others are heading towards a food crisis.
The drought has caused losses worth Rs 300 million, according to the district agriculture development office. The office said 10,983 hectares of land is lying fallow. Mugu people have demanded that the KP Oli government and other concerned bodies take urgent initiatives to end the food shortage.
