Bhubaneswar: While the country received deficient monsoon rains, over one-third areas of Odisha have recorded deficit rainfall till 2 September of the current monsoon season.
As per IMD data on Monsoon 2021 in Odisha (till 2 September), only 7 districts – Khordha, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Koraput and Malakngiri – in Odisha have recorded normal rainfall; whereas 23 other districts have measured deficient rainfall so far.
As many 17 districts have recorded deficit rainfall of minus 19 per cent to 39 per cent. The districts are Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Puri, Nuapada, Rayagada, Kendrapara, Dhenkanal, Balasore, Kalahandi, Sonepur, Mayurbhanj, Bargarh, Kandhamal, Sundergarh, Keonjhar, Bolangir and Deogarh.
Similarly, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Angul, Jajpur, Bhadrak and Boudh districts have received a severe deficit rainfall of minus 39 per cent to 59 per cent.
The State as a whole, has recorded 29.6 per cent deficit rainfall against the normal rainfall. The State has received 652.8 mm rainfall against the long-term average rainfall of 927.9 mm.
Moreover, Odisha has recorded deficit rainfall of 16.6 per cent in the month of June 2021, which increased to 21.3 per cent in July and 44.7 per cent in August. In the first two days of September, the State has recorded 47.8 mm deficit rainfall.
Meanwhile, the IMD has predicted normal rainfall in September 2021. Another low pressure area is very likely to be formed in next few days, which will bring heavy rain in State for six to seven days.
IMD DG Mrutyunjaya Mohapatra said on 1 September that the country has received 9 percent deficient rainfall until August and Odisha has been impacted along with Gujarat.
While Odisha recorded 29.6 deficit rainfall, Gujarat received 47 Percent less rains than normal.
However heavy showers are expected from 6 September and it will be above normal at 110 Percent, he predicted.
Excess rainfall during September is likely to reduce deficiency felt over last two months, said he.
Due to deficient rainfall, the paddy seeds, which need rain/water to cultivate, has damaged in many parts of the State. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, two days ago, reviewed the situation and asked Collectors to implement contingency crop plan.
The Chief Minister had said that agricultural activities are likely to be affected in 213 blocks that received deficit rainfall during this monsoon season.
Directing the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment department to keep a close watch on the ground situation and review the situation every day, he had asked the Collectors of concerned districts to take immediate steps to mitigate the drought like situation.
On the other hand, Opposition Congress and BJP have been raising the issue in the Assembly during first two days of monsoon session. Congress members today created a ruckus inside the House demanding a special discussion on the drought issue.