Affected country: Nepal Glide: DR-2025-000125-NPL Although the monsoon arrived in Nepal on 29 May, the majority of areas in Madhesh Province (Province 2) remain deprived of rain six weeks later. The lack of rainfall has led to a water crisis, and the province is facing an unexpected drought despite predictions of above-average rainfall. The province has a population of 6.12 million (CBS, 2021), of which approximately 1.2 million are affected. Water sources have dried up and the groundwater table has been depleted, creating a critical shortage of drinking water and impacting irrigation for agriculture. As a result of these water shortages, farmers are unable to transplant paddy saplings. The drought has left seedbeds dry and paddy saplings withering, raising fears of an impending food shortage in Nepal’s primary rice-producing region.According to a decision made by the Federal Government on 23 July 2025, all 136 municipalities across the eight districts of Madhesh Province have been officially declared drought-affected areas. There is still uncertainty about monsoon rains in the region, which might prolong the drought and its adverse impacts on health, hygiene and sanitation. (IFRC, 6 Aug 2025)