In the wake of long Range Forecasting done by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) that there will be 6 per cent more rainfall than the average this monsoon, agri-weather experts claim that the State will witness bumper crop due to adequate rainfall this season. The State wing of Disaster Management, on the other hand has started making preparations to deal with any king of untoward situation created due to heavy rains.
“As there was lesser effect of El-Niño since April this year, it is definite that there will be no scarcity of water this season due to which the State will witness bumper crops this season,” said Agri-Weather Scientist of Birsa Agricultural University A Wadood.
“Although monsoon is little late by 5-6 days, the trend what we are witnessing so far indicates that there will be a bumper crop this season. If we talk in terms of Jharkhand, sowing on the upper lands begins after 10-11 days of the onset of monsoon,” said a scientist Ramesh Kumar at Birsa Agricultural University
Meanwhile a team of National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) has already been deputed to deal with any crisis arising out of heavy rains this monsoon.
“A team of National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) has been called and has been kept reserved to deal with any kind of untoward situation in the State. As there is a possibility of heavy rain, we are also preparing ourselves to deal with flood like situation in the fold prone areas,” said Project Officer (Disaster Management) in Jharkhand Colonel SK Srivastava. We are also developing co-ordination with all water resource agencies, Central Water Commission and the neighbouring States as well, he added.
“Regular monitoring of the flood prone areas is also being done by us,” said Colonel Srivastava. According to the Project Officer, Sahebganj, Pakur, Godda, East Singhbhum, West Singhbum, Saraikela-Kharsawan, Garhwa, Palamu and Chaibasa have been identified as the flood prone districts while Dhanbad, Bokaro, Ranchi and Ramgarh are vulnerable to flash flood, added Srivastava.
The Project Officer further added that an awareness programme is also being conducted across the State where common people are being trained to deal with the crisis – how to evacuate the place, reach out to a safer place and how to make arrangement for their food and toilets.
“A Centralised Control Room has also been set up at State headquarters so that proper monitoring could be done during the crisis,” Srivastava Added. Officials of Meteorological Department said the monsoon is likely to reach Jharkhand by June 18-20.
“As Ronu cyclone occurred in between, the momentum of the monsoon got weakened due to which there is a little delay in it. It appears that it has been stuck somewhere near the Andaman which is likely to hit Kerala coast by June 7,” said Forecasting Officer Upendra Kumar. It is likely to reach Jharkhand by June 18-20, he added.