Due to its rugged mountainous terrain, Nepal is one of the most disaster-prone countries of the world. The most destructive types of disaster are flash floods and landslides, which every year are caused by the monsoon, leading to loss of life and damage to infrastructure. During the 2002 monsoon, heavier than normal torrential rainfall was followed by widespread floods and landslides, notably in eastern and central parts of the country. An estimated 260 000 people were affected in 47 out of the country’s 75 districts with more than 500 deaths reported and many more people injured. About 10 000 houses have been destroyed and the national highway has been washed away in 20 locations, while 6 major bridges were damaged. The disaster also hit electricity works, water supply systems and schools. Large areas of fertile farmland was washed away, but overall the effect on cereal production is expected to be minimal, as standing paddy has benefited from the rain. By contrast, in western parts of the country dry weather has persisted.
The 2002 rice crop, which was planted in July-August, is due for harvest in November–December. The outcome of the harvest is provisionally forecast at 4.0 million tonnes of paddy, some 5 percent below the bumper crop of 4.2 million tonnes in 2001, but still above average. Harvesting of maize is underway and millet will be harvested from the end of this month. The aggregate output of coarse grains is expected to remain at about last year’s level of 1.8 million tonnes.