Deficit rainfall in June-July-Aug leaves farmers distressed

Bhubaneswar: Even as floods created havoc in several parts of the State, deficit rainfall in the months of June, July and August in several districts has affected agricultural activities leaving the farmers worried.

As many as 10 districts of the state have received deficit rainfall between 19 per cent and 39 per cent during the period, said the Special Relief Commissioner's (SRC) office.

The districts include Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Bargarh, Subarnapur, Nuapada, Jajpur, Bolangir, Boudh, Angul and Dhenkanal with Boudh receiving the lowest rainfall of 192 mm during the month of August, sources said.

Generally, the farmers sow seeds in June after monsoon showers and both transplantation and intercultural operations are undertaken in July. However, with deficit rainfall, farm lands had gone dry in these districts leading to drought-like conditions.

According to latest reports of the Met Department, the state is likely to experience rainfall before September 15 as a result of low pressure.

“Even if it rains in off season, it is difficult to do farming. The cows are grazing in the field. We don’t know what to do,” said a farmer.

Gajapati and Ganjam districts received surplus rainfall of more than 19 per cent during the period from June 1 to August 31, sources said.

18 districts which received normal rainfall are Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Khurda, Koraput, Puri, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Jagatsinghpur, Sundargarh, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Nayagarh, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur and Bhadrak during this period.