Clear sky over Jharkhand is likely to cast a dark spell over standing crops as the State has slipped into a rain deficit zone after less than average rainfall was recorded for second consecutive month since July also stoking up the fears of a drought like situation if monsoon skips Jharkhand as it is about to enter its last leg.
According to officials of the Ranchi office of the Indian Meteorological Department, Jharkhand is short of 5-6 per cent of the normal rainfall figures till September 4 and future doesn’t look too bright in the absence of any atmospheric activity over the sky of Jharkhand or surrounding areas.
“There was system that was observed further down Jharkhand towards Andhra but that did not benefit us and there is a system developing over Assam and Meghalaya but won’t benefit the State either., Condition doesn’t look promising for next 5-6 days as no system is developing over Jharkhand,” said Forecast Officer, IMD Ranchi, U Shrivastava.
Notably, Jharkhand had received around 18 per cent more rain than normal in the month of July followed by relatively drier spells in August and September so far. Incidentally, weathermen have kept all hopes of heavy rainfall aside before as weather will enter transition phase from monsoon to winter.
The gloomy situation has its negative implications for standing crops especially paddy which has entered into a decisive phase of its life cycle. A deficit of every droplet accentuates the concern of yield getting affected badly as paddy crops is about to enter reproductive phase.
“Paddy is heading towards reproductive phase so it is crucial phase for the crop that is why dearth of rain would affect the crop very badly especially in upland farms which
is poor in terms of water holding capacity,” said Junior Scientist at Birsa Agriculture University, BK Jha.
As rain is out of sight for next 5-6 days, Jha added that paddy would be benefited depending on distribution of rainfall if it rains in Jharkhand.