Kathmandu. The government has gone on high alert mode at a time when the continuous drought is having a serious impact on the Tarai-Madhes region.

Water supply, irrigation and agriculture works have been facing problems due to very low rainfall in eight districts of Madhes state till the first week of July. As a result, about 46-47 per cent of the cultivable area is yet to be sown, indicating a challenge to the country’s food security.

A joint meeting of four ministers was held on Monday at the initiative of Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Deepak Khadka to solve this serious problem of Madhes, which is known as the country’s granary. Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Chaurasia, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari and Minister for Drinking Water Pradeep Yadav were also present in the meeting.

Secretary at the Ministry of Energy Sarita Dawadi, Secretary at the Ministry of Law Pareshwar Dhungana, Secretary at the Ministry of Drinking Water Pramila Devi Shakya Bajracharya and Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Dipu Moni, among others, were present on the occasion. Govinda Prasad Sharma was also present.

The meeting decided to form a high-level task force with the representation of joint secretaries of all the four ministries to resolve the problem immediately. The task force has also been given the necessary powers to identify the problem and prepare ways to solve it.

Energy Minister Khadka said, “The impact of paddy sowing due to drought is not only a problem of the farmers, it is a direct challenge to the national food security.” We are serious and are moving towards an early solution. ”

This year, the impact of drought is not limited to farming, but also adds to the shortage of drinking water and irrigation crisis. This is affecting the daily lives of millions of people of Madhes.

The ministers present in the meeting also pledged to give suggestions to the task force on structural reforms and necessary budget management to solve the problem in the long run. Madhes people have expressed hope of immediate relief from this move of the government.