Farmers in Lamjung district of Nepal have intensified efforts to harvest and store paddy crops ahead of heavy rainfall expected from the approaching Cyclone Arnab over the Bay of Bengal. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has forecasted significant rainfall and possible snowfall, prompting concerns about potential damage to ripening crops.

Over extensive paddy fields in municipalities such as Madhyanepal, Dordi, Rainas, Marsyangdi, and Sundarbazar, farmers are working against the clock to harvest hybrid and improved paddy varieties that have matured earlier this season. These fields have turned golden yellow as the crops near full maturity, creating urgency to collect and store the harvest before the forecasted downpour.

The Agriculture Development Office in Lamjung has noted that the majority of paddy cultivated in the district consists of improved varieties, which tend to mature earlier than traditional types. Agriculture expert Madan Regmi from the office explained that while traditional paddy generally matures in the month of Mangsir (mid-November to mid-December), hybrid and improved strains reach maturity in Kartik (mid-October to mid-November), leading to the current rush to complete harvesting.

In total, paddy is grown across approximately 16,463 hectares in Lamjung, with monsoon paddy occupying about 15,552 hectares. More than 90 percent of this land is cultivated with improved varieties such as Ram Dhan, Sabitri, Loktantra, Hardinath, Sunaulo Sugandha, Khumal-4, and the Sukha series (Sukha-1 through Sukha-4).

The Agriculture Development Office has urged farmers to finish harvesting and safely store their crops by Thursday and to avoid harvesting activities on Friday and Saturday due to the anticipated adverse weather.

Local farmers have expressed apprehension over the timing of the rains. Ram Gurung, a farmer from Rampani in Bhorletar, Madhyanepal-6, highlighted the challenges involved in both planting and harvesting paddy. He noted the risk of the approaching rains ruining the crops just as they are ready for collection.

With the cyclone nearing, farmers across Lamjung are making concerted efforts to protect their livelihoods by harvesting early and securing their produce against the expected heavy precipitation.