Far Western Province, Feb 2: Farmers in the Far Western Province are celebrating the arrival of the first rains since October last year. The recent rainfall has brought relief to the farming community, signaling positive prospects for the upcoming harvest.

Ram Bahadur Chaudhary, a farmer from Kailali, expressed gratitude for the much-needed rain after a prolonged dry spell. He mentioned that the dry weather posed challenges for farmers, and the recent rainfall is particularly beneficial for winter crops like wheat, lentils, vegetables, and fruits. Another farmer, Jaguram Rana, emphasized the positive impact of rain, especially for those facing difficulties due to a lack of irrigation facilities.

Sanjay Kumar Sah, Head of the Mahakali Basin Field Office at Attaria in the Water and Meteorology Department, reported that Kailali received 14.2 mm of rain from Wednesday night to Thursday afternoon. This marks the first substantial rainfall since the monsoon departed from the region in October of the previous year. Sah highlighted that the rain has not only benefited winter crops but has also contributed to improving air quality.

Attributing the rain to the influence of the western wind, Sah mentioned that the weather system would gradually weaken. The recent rain comes after nearly 35 days of a persistent cold wave, accompanied by thick fog and low temperatures. The region experienced its lowest temperature in a decade on January 11, measuring 1.8 degrees Celsius.

Over the last five days, the cold wave has subsided, and the sun has started shining. The rain on Wednesday and Thursday has brought relief to farmers and also contributed to clearing the atmosphere, enhancing human health.

In addition to the rain, snowfall has been reported in the Himalayan and high mountain areas of Bajura, Baitadi, and Darchula in the Far West Province. The precipitation, including rain and snowfall, has proven beneficial for crops that were unable to thrive due to a lack of irrigation. However, the heightened coldness accompanying the snowfall in hilly and mountainous regions adds to the winter weather challenges.