Zilla parishad passes resolution to declare Odisha's Sambalpur district drought affected

SAMBALPUR: The Sambalpur zilla parishad on Wednesday passed a resolution to declare Sambalpur a drought-hit district. President of zilla parishad Radheshyam Barik said, “We discussed about agriculture and deficit rainfall.”
Official sources said while normal rainfall in July is 429.5 mm, the district received only 310.11 mm rainfall in July 2021. Similarly, while the normal rainfall in August is 442.4 mm, the district has received only 76 mm rainfall.
So far in August, while Jujumura block received 123.50 mm rainfall, Rengali block recorded 45 mm and Maneswar block 27.60 mm.Similarly, the Kuchinda block received 17.70 mm rainfall, Jamankira block 57.80 mm, Bamra 145.80 mm, Rairakhol 49 mm, Naktideul 168 mm and Dhankauda block in the district received 49.60 mm rainfall till August 18 this month.
“The situation in the district is very pathetic. The farmers were expecting good rainfall but got disappointed. There is already a drought situation in Kuchinda, Jamankira and other non-irrigated areas,” said farmer leader Byomkesh Thakur.
Chief district agriculture officer (CDAO), Sambalpur, Saroj Kumar Chand, also admitted that there is a need for rainfall for paddy crops. Official sources said a target has been set to grow paddy over around 1.04 lakh hectare.