Karlamunda: With monsoon doing a vanishing act, some parts of Kalahandi district stare at possible drought condition.
Farmers of Karlamunda block are a worried lot, because the farmlands are left dry. The block has not yet received sufficient rainfall till the first week of August.
The land has cracked while transplanted paddy saplings have started drooling for want of water.
Paddy cultivation is usually done in 8, 780 hectares in the block. According to reports, the block received 240mm rainfall in June and 117.40 mm in July.
Hundreds acres of farmland in Karlamunda, Malpada, Pourakela, Gajabahal, Sapalahara, Joradabara and Regada panchayats have been dry without rain.
It was learnt that paddy saplings have wilted in Sisakhal, Dharnakhaman, Kansil, Putigan, Bindhani, Tetengpadar, Bijapati, Siletpada, Terchapall, Karnaikhunti, Dandhibhaja, Bhuermunda and Batikua villages.
Farmers in these areas expressed concern over the scanty rainfall that has badly affected the farming activities. Farmers apprehend a possible spectre of a drought with the monsoon almost doing a vanishing act. Telltale signs of drought were found at several places where farmlands have been left cracked for want of rain.
Farmers said Covid-induced shutdowns and lockdowns have already affected our activities. Deficit rainfall has badly affected paddy cultivation. At the current situation, saving paddy plants is too difficult. In some areas, several hectares of land were left fallow.
Utei irrigation project is in the block, but it is of no use for farmers because, the river has little water to feed the irrigation project.
“If it rains in the first week of August, paddy can be saved to some extent,” said Gobinda Sahu, a farmer.
PNN