Odisha: Drought fear on horizon as 11 districts record less rainfall

BHUBANESWAR: While several states in India are experiencing severe flood-like situation, most rivers in Odisha are running dry and a possible drought-like situation is looming large over the state. Nearly 11 coastal districts of the state have, so far, got deficit rainfall, while 18 of them experienced normal rainfall.
The southwest monsoon, which arrived in the state on time, has been playing truant after a good start.The state received nearly 50 mm less rainfall as compared to the normal trend this season. However, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to moderate rainfall in several districts in Odisha between July 22 and 25.
“The southwest monsoon has been subdued over Odisha. Light to moderate rainfall has occurred at many places over the districts of north interior Odisha, at a few places over the districts of coastal Odisha and at one or two places over the districts of south interior Odisha,” the IMD bulletin said. Heavy rainfall is likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Sonepur, Boudh, Mayurbhanj, Balasore , Balangir, Kalahandi, Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada and Rayagada in the next three days.
“Farmers have nothing to worry about as the IMD has forecast a normal rainfall this season,” agriculture secretary Sourabh Garg said.
According to sources, Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Kendrapada, Jajapur, Balasore and Bhadrak are the worst-hit districts as the deficit rainfall ranges between 50% to 22% here. Puri has received 50% less rainfall than normal followed by Khurda district (48% ). A cumulative rainfall of 417.4% has been recorded in the state from June 1 to July 22, which is 9% less than the normal. Meanwhile, 18 districts of the state have received excess to normal rainfall with Jharsuguda recording over 25% excess rain.