Recent rainfall/snowfall might have given relief to the farmers involved in agriculture and horticulture. However, Meteorological centre report reveals that nine of the 13 districts of the State have received below par rainfall during the current winter season starting from January 1.
According to Meteorological cenre director Bikram Singh, the winter in the State spans over two months-January and February. Uttarakhand received 37 mm whereas normal rainfall figure is 44.9 mm (showing departure minus 18 per cent). The provincial State capital- Dehradun received 43.2 mm whereas normal rainfall figure is 44.3 mm (showing departure minus three per cent).
However, Singh said that the rainfall received in three plain districts Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital is above the normal.
Singh said that good winter rain is important for farmers in the hills where there are minimal irrigation facilities.
“While Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital areas in the plains receiving normal rainfall, the farmers are elated those in the mountainous parts are gloomy, given the scanty rainfall. Below normal rainfall adversely impacts production of vegetables, grains and fruits,” he said.
He said in the same breath that in meteorological terms, a variation of minus 19 per cent to plus 19 per cent is a normal phenomenon while a shortfall ranging from minus 20 per cent to minus 59 per cent is called deficient.