Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, August 10: A drought like situation loomed large over the state which has so far recorded 13 per cent deficit in monsoon rain this year.
Met sources said from June to till date, the state recorded 570 mm rain against 680 mm that it usually receives during monsoon every year.
Even if north-coastal districts received heavy rainfall under the influence of cyclone ‘Komen’ a few weeks back, the rainfall was very poor in several other parts of the state. As many as 11 districts in the state have received less than average rainfall this monsoon.
Sources said the situation is grave for farmers in as many as six districts of the state such as Bolangir, Koraput, Kandhamal, Puri, Nayagarh and Khurda.
Puri, Nayagarh and Khurda have received less than 40 per cent rain while Bolangir received around 39 per cent less. Likewise, both Koraput and Kandhamal have received 37 per cent less than average rain.
Deputy state relief commissioner PR Mohapatra said, “We have the information on 40 per cent deficit rain at nine places and agriculture department has been informed about it.”
Anticipating a possible drought, the state government in June had decided to prepare a contingency plan and announced measures to tackle the situation if it arises in future.
The government had decided that distribution of seeds, insecticides, chemicals among farmers in the state would be finished in time while a 24×7 control room in each district would be set up to enable farmers to avail real-time information about the rainfall and crop situation.
Agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathi had said collectors had been advised to make plans to reduce crop losses.