Drought is almost certain in Sundragrh district this year due to inadequate rainfall in July and August.
While the Meteorological Department was forecasting normal monsoon and rainfall this year, everybody was hopeful getting sufficient water for farming. But the rainfall data in July and August say something else.
According to sources, in Sundragrh district while the average rainfall expected in July was 386.4 mm, it was 330.12 mm and in August in place of 393.9 mm, it rained 307.08 mm. It was worst in June as the district received only 90.40 mm rains against the average rainfall of 237.40 mm which also delayed the agriculture activities.
Even in July, out of 17 blocks, only three blocks such as lephripara, Subdega and Balisankaa had more than the average rainfall with 419.40 mm, 598.40 mm and 563 mm respectively and close to the average rainfall were in Gurundia and Bargaon blocks with 385.40 mm and 379.80 mm respectively. But in other blocks like Hemgiri, it was 198.80 mm, Tangarpali 298.70 mm, Sundragarh 342.50 mm, Kutra 298.40 mm, Rajgangpur 313.30 mm, Kuarmunda 356 mm, Bisra 267.40 mm, Nuagan 273.70mm, lathikata 204.30 mm, Bonai 198.40 mm, lahunipara 246.90 mm and in Koira block it was 267.70 mm rainfall.
Similarly in August, only three blocks such as Hemgiri, Subdega and Kutra had more than average rainfall with 434.70 mm, 394.30 mm and 408.80 respectively. Besides, only Koira block had close to the average with 383.40 mm. In other blocks like lepgripara, it was 295.20 mm, Tangarpaki 216.60 mm, Sundragrh 175.50 mm, Balisankara 279.40 mm, Bargaon 189 mm, Rajgangpur 297 mm, Kuarmunda 226.10 mm, Bisra 321.6 mm, Nuagaon 294 mm, lathikata 346.50 mm, Bonai 326.10 mm, lahunipara 340.80 and Gurundia had 291.40 mm rainfall. If it does not rain adequately by September 15, then the situation will be worse and drought would be inevitable in most of the blocks of Sundargarh district, opine experts.
According to sources, in Sundargarh out of 3.13 lakh hectares of land, the target for paddy cultivation was in 2.13 lakh hectares. But due to irregular rainfall, almost half of that have not been cultivated properly.
This year another odd situation is marked in the district. Though rainfall is below the average but a large number of lightning deaths were reported.