Uttarakhand has received below normal level of rainfall during the winter season from January to February this year. Statistics revealed that the State had witnessed an around 71 per cent rain deficit in the post- monsoon season from October to December, 2015. The change in rainfall pattern is causing much anxiety especially to farmers.
The normal rainfall for Uttarakhand in winter season is 106.1 mm. However, 34.6 mm rainfall was received in Uttarakhand this year, casting shadows on the production of Rabi crops and fruits.
In Dehradun district, the normal rainfall for Dehradun in winter season is 101.0 mm. However, 40.6 mm rainfall was received. The normal rainfall for Haridwar in winter season is 49.0 mm and 15.0 mm rainfall was received. The normal rainfall for Udham Singh Nagar in winter season is 68.9 mm. However, only 2.0 mm rainfall was received.
Most of the farmers across the hills are solely dependent on rains for cultivation of crops and fruits tree. And now, with the rainfall being scanty, they are facing difficulties trying to irrigate their crops rightly, something that might result in production hitting a dead end.
Dean, department of agro-meteorology, College of Agriculture NS Murti said that scanty rainfall this winter is causing a great deal of worry to thousands of farmers across the State. “Good winter rain was important for farmers in the hills where there are minimal irrigation facilities. However state received 67 per cent deficit rainfall during winter season. Apart from rabi crops, adverse impact would also be occurred on fruits. However, growing of wheat and vegetables is bound to suffer due to the frightfully inadequate rainfall in the State, he added.
The State Meteorological Centre director Bikram Singh said that the state witnessed an around 71 per cent rain deficit in the post- monsoon season. During winter season the state witnessed an around 67 per cent rain deficit. Reports revealed that 81 per cent rain deficit was reported in Almora district while 94 rain deficit in Bageshwar, 73 in Chamoli, 89 in Champawat, 60 in Dehradun, 80 in Pauri, 85 in Tehri, 78 in Haridwar, 79 in Nainital, 57 in Pithoragarh, 80 in Rudraprayag, 96 in Udham Singh Nagar, 50 in Uttarkashi, he added.