Experts have suggested that the government should take precautions in food security as the lack of winter rain due to climate change may cause problems in the food cycle.
According to the experts, there has been a decline in rainfall this winter compared to the past due to climate change. They said that the average rainfall during the winter period should be 60.1 mm but only 7.9 mm rainfall has been recorded so far. Thus, they have alerted the government that due to the lack of rain in most parts of the country, there could be a decline in food production in winter along with other environmental problems. They have also requested the government to manage the winter food crops in time.
Climate and disaster expert Dr Dharma Upreti said that due to the drought this winter, there will be a decrease in the production of food grains. Upreti stated that winter lasts till February 28, but there is no possibility of rainfall even within that period.
Similarly, Dr Upreti warned that due to the lack of rain during the winter period, the risk of climate-related disasters will also increase in the coming days. He therefore warned that it is necessary for the government to provide timely pre-disaster information and make pre-disaster preparations.
He said that in the absence of rain in winter, there will be problems in livelihood and it will also affect the crops, climatic system and forest resources. Upreti added that due to lack of winter rains, there is a danger of increasing air pollution and creating a situation of starvation.
“Due to lack of winter rains, the water sources will dry up, the water in the springs will decrease, and the amount of water in the rivers originating from Chure will decrease as well,” Dr Upreti said.
Likewise, he also mentioned that the temperature of the sea surface is lower than the average, there is no westerly wind, the wind is weak in the center of the Pacific Ocean and in the eastern direction of the sea due to which rain has not occurred in Nepal. He said that the temperature of the sea surface is the lowest in 50 years.
