New Delhi, Aug. 3 -- Farmers in Siraha district who had been worried of a long spell of drought felt a sigh of relief after rainfall last night.

The rain has brought cheers to the farmers as nearly 50 per cent paddy field has yet to be planted due to shortage of rainfall.

Farmers had witnessed their farmlands drying up, seedlings turning yellowish and paddy plantation becoming almost impossible due to lack of water. However, last night's rain has brought some hope, said Birendra Chaudhary, a local farmer, of Lahan-8.

"There is hope the seeds that had turned yellowish could be transplanted. Although the water for the plantation is still insufficient," he mentioned.

Badri Narayan Yadav, Agriculture Coordinator at Lahan Municipality,...