Deficit rainfall in at least 25 districts of Odisha during the month of June has become a cause of concern. While the State as a whole has received less rainfall during the month, only five districts received normal rainfall.
Rainfall statistics was presented in a Weather Watch Group meet under the chairmanship of Agriculture Production Commissioner GK Dhal here on Monday.
The normal rainfall during June in the State is 158.8 mm, but it is less by 27.2 per cent. From January to June 24, the State received 27.4-per cent less rains. Though during April to May, the State received excess rainfall, it has deficient rains during June.
Only five districts, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Subarnapur, Jajpur and Puri, have received normal rainfall. Gajapati district is the worst sufferer having received 63-per cent less rains.
Five districts, Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Sambalpur, Sundargarh and Rayagada, received severe deficit rainfall.
As many as 19 districts, Jharsuguda, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Malkangiri, Boudh, Ganjam, Deogarh, Kalahandi, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Balangir, Nuapada, Bargarh, Khordha, Baleswar, Angul, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Kendrapada, received deficit rainfall.
As a result, in most of the districts crop area coverage is less than last year when by this time 4.19 lakh hectares were covered under various crops compared to 3.90 lakh hectares this year.
Notably this year, the Government has planned to cover 61.50 lakh hectares under various crops. Out of these areas, paddy cultivation is planned for 36.50 lakh hectares, but farming has been undertaken in only 2.38 lakh hectares by June 24, said sources.