The heavy rains and hailstorms have also destroyed other ready-to-harvest crops like red lentils and barley.

A total of 105 quarantine facilities have been set up in the district’s four municipalities and six rural municipalities.

In the last two weeks, Bajhang and Baitadi saw fairs attracting more than 300 people.

Department of Health Services sent only 10 thermal guns and a few necessary medical equipment to be distributed across Sudurpaschim Province.

The problem cannot be resolved until wildlife experts conduct a study on leopards in the area and recommend action, officials say.

A majority of the ambulances, in government and private hospitals, in the district charge more than what is fixed by the District Ambulance Committee.

They are afraid to talk about the matter with hospital administration because of the risk of being fired, say nurses.

Most of the people’s representatives in the judicial committee do not have the legal knowledge to settle disputes.

Hospitals in most hill districts do not have mental health treatment facilities to treat those who need help.

To provide services to the people, health workers have been carrying water from distant water sources to the health posts daily.

For lack of education and employment opportunities, most of them are living a life of poverty and destitution.

Experts say droughts, poor transportation facilities and lack of irrigation facility and access to market are behind the continuing food insecurity.

Health-related awareness programmes conducted by mothers’ groups have become a boon for women.

Eight villagers have been injured, one seriously, when an excavator struck villagers protesting road construction.

A minor was mauled to death in yet another leopard attack earlier this month.