Uttarakhand has received below par rainfall during the post-monsoon season from October to December. Things remain grim till date in January, a development that is worrying those engaged in agriculture. In January (winter season), the normal rainfall is 40 mm. However, only 5 mm rainfall has been received in Uttarakhand so far, casting shadows on the production of Rabi crops.
Most of the farmers of the hills are solely dependent on rain for cultivation of crops. And now, rain being scanty, they are facing difficulties to irrigate their crops adequately, something that might result in production hitting a dead end, sending prices of wheat and fruit and vegetables to escalate.
The Dean, department of agro-meteorology, College of Agriculture, NS Murti said that scanty rainfall this winter is causing a great deal of worry to lakhs of farmers across the State. "Good winter rain is important for farmers in the hills where there are minimal irrigation facilities. There will not be immediate impact on fruits because the trees are generally too deeply rooted. However, growing of wheat and vegetables is bound to suffer due to the frightfully inadequate rainfall in the State. The farmers should go for irrigation for their crops to offset the vagaries of nature," he added.
In October last year, Uttarakhand received 16.7 mm rainfall whereas normal rainfall is 58.5 mm (showing departure of minus 71 per cent). Dehradun received 18.2 mm rainfall. However, normal rainfall is 62.6 mm (showing departure of minus 71 per cent) in October.
In November, Uttarakhand received 2.3 mm whereas normal rainfall is 9.8 mm (showing minus 76 per cent departure). Dehradun received 3 mm while the normal rainfall is 12.9 mm (showing minus 77 per cent departure). In December, Uttarakhand received 7.2 mm while the normal rainfall is 21.2 mm (showing minus 66 per cent departure). Dehradun received 12.7 mm in January so far while the normal rainfall is 20.5 mm (showing minus 38 per cent departure).
According to Met officials, the State witnessed around 70 per cent rain deficit in the post-monsoon season from October to December with Udham Singh Nagar in Kumaon, regarded as the wheat bowl of the State, being the worst affected. Other places like Champawat received only one mm rainfall while Bageshwar got no rainfall at all during the post-monsoon season.
Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar and other areas in the plains too have seen negligible rainfall this season. Experts say that if these dry conditions persist, the State should brace for escalating prices of vegetables, grains and fruits in the coming days.