Banke. In the meeting of Narayanpur Rural Municipality Executive Committee of Banke, Narayanpur has been declared as a dry area.

Due to lack of adequate irrigation system, the farmers here were forced to cultivate during the rainy season. But due to lack of rain this year, they have not been able to sow paddy and paddy fields planted by alternative methods have also been destroyed.

The arable land has become barren due to the rising heat and due to lack of rain in the area, the water sources have dried up and water crisis has arisen in Narainapur. Chief Administrative Officer Bharat Basnet said that in the meeting held on Thursday regarding the problem of water scarcity this year, the municipality was declared a drought-affected area.

Narainapur 4 Ward President Manoj Sharma said that other alternative arrangements including deep boring for irrigation, provision of subsidized diesel, provision of agricultural electrification and freeing electricity duty by providing agricultural meters were also discussed in the meeting.

The rural municipality has also requested the provincial and federal governments to bring a special relief package for the farmers.