Titlagarh: With deficient rainfall in July and August, Titlagarh area in Bolangir district is going to see a drought situation. Agriculture activities have failed to make progress with the farmlands getting dry and cracking for lack of sufficient rainfall.
Paddy saplings are dying due to lack of water. As there is no likelihood of rain in the coming days, farmers fear the spectre of drought.
According to reports, normal rainfall in July should have been 360.5 mm, but it was far less. Other blocks Bangomunda, Puintala and Muribahal have also received deficit rainfall.
Farmers apprehend 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 in these areas expressed concern over the scanty rainfall.
On the other hand, Bankel, Mathanpalla and Jamuna Jora irrigation dams are of no use for farming. Some areas have canals, but they are unable to deliver water due to bad shape, farmers alleged.
At many places, canals have collapsed. “Mathanpalli dam has no water at this time. Lift irrigation points at some places are not working. Paddy saplings have wilted and turned yellow. The situation will turn worse if the saplings don’t find water immediately. In most areas where there are no irrigation facilities; paddy cultivation depends on rains,” some farmers lamented.
They pointed out that the area is a drought prone one. They alleged that there are two mega irrigation points, but they are unable to supply water due to faults in the projects.
“Covid-induced shutdowns and lockdowns have already affected our activities. Deficit rainfall has badly affected farming activities,” farmers said.
In some areas, several hectares of land were left fallow. Farmers demanded that the state government take welfare measures and do damage assessment in the area.
PNN