Three districts receive 50 pc less rainfall

The three districts which received more than 50 per cent less rainfall are Boudh (-62%), Nuapada (-56 %) and Malkangiri (-51%).

"We are aware of the situation arising out of less rainfall during this monsoon. The government is taking adequate steps to ensure that farmers get water for cultivation," Revenue and Disaster Management Minister S N Patro said.

Eight other districts also recorded rainfall much below normal. They are Angul (-36%), Bargarh (-47 %), Bolangir (-46%), Deogarh (-42%), Jharsuguda (-35%), Kalahandi (-40%), Koraput (-38%) and Sonepur (-34%).

However, four districts recorded excess rainfall.

They are Kendrapara (28.3%), Keonjhar (15.2%), Jagatsinghpur (12%) and Bhadrak (9%).

Stating that the state receives monsoon rain till August 15, the minister said, "We hope the situation will change by August 2 in view of a low pressure being created in the Bay of Bengal," he said.

While Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had already issued instruction to repair all the defunct lift irrigation points, orders were also given to different power distribution companies to energies all such points.

The state had faced drought in 17 districts last year.