Drought may revisit Nuapada in Odisha

NUAPADA: Farmers of Nuapada are apprehensive of drought with the rain playing truant in the region. The district has received merely 94.76 mm rainfall against the normal of 327.8 mm this month so far. Rainfall is crucial in  July and August for agricultural activities and growth of paddy saplings. The State Government is waiting for crop cutting report to declare the district drought-hit.

According to reports, rainfall has been just above normal in June but the figures of July are disappointing. Against normal rainfall of 347.1 mm in July, the district registered only 170.92 mm, a deficit of 50.75 per cent. While Khariar block received the lowest rainfall at 112.30 mm, the highest was reported from Komna and Nuapada blocks, which got 202.00 mm rain. Boden block received 159.90 mm rain and Sinapali 178.00 mm.

Although it was hoped by the Agriculture department that the loss would be made up in case there would be heavy showers in August, that has not been the case. Till August 18, the district received 28.90 per cent rainfall.On the other hand, the district had received 237.22 mm rainfall in June against normal rainfall of 210.3 mm which had raised hopes among the farmers for a good yield.
 Sub-Collector Sarat Srichandan said only after getting the crop cutting report, they can declare the district drought hit. He said there is also an eye estimate report which is sought by the State Government but it is done a fortnight before harvesting.

Start of migration
It is during this time of the year that farmers turn into labourers and migrate to other States in search of work. After Nuakhai celebrations, the farmer families, who suffer crop loss due to inadequate rain, have no option but to pack their bags and leave for an alien land to work. The middlemen or labour sardars camp in the drought-hit villages and force the identified families to move out.