Seventy-five-year-old Jaya Bahadur Rokaya of Murma in Rara VDC has been surprised by the water level of Rara Lake that has dipped by 1.5 metres.

“I had never seen the lake water this low before. The water level has decreased after 62 rivulets that feed the lake dried up,” said Rokaya.

The water level continues to recede as there has been no rainfall since July, 2015.  Officiating Chief of Rara National Park Gopal Khatri claimed that the water level

in lake had gone down by

1.5 metres.

“The level of water has dropped sharply after the water sources dried up,” said Khatri.

The Khatyad river flowing down from Rara lake has also dried up due to prolonged drought. People living in around seven VDCs of Mugu are having difficulty watering their farmlands because of the drought.

“There is also a shortage of drinking water in our village. The sources of water have dried up,” said Rokaya.  

Rara Lake is situated at an altitude of 2,990 m (9,810 ft) above sea level and has a water surface of 10.8 sq km with a maximum depth of 167 m (548 ft).

The water level in Karnali River has also dropped as there has been no rainfall in the region for months.