Bhubaneswar: A specter of drought is looming large over Odisha as the state received less than the normal rainfall this season. The state government is going to take a decision on drought condition by October 30 as about eleven districts in the state have been affected due to scanty rainfall between June and September this year.
The chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, who reviewed the drought situation in the state at a high-level meeting, here on Tuesday, directed the district collectors to submit rainfall data and report on crop position taking panchyat as a unit by October 15.
The state has received on an average 10.1% less rain between June and September this year. The rainfall has been recorded is 1028.3 mm rainfall as against the normal rainfall of 1144.3 mm. While one district has received more than normal rainfall and 20 got normal rainfall, 9 have less than normal rainfall this season.
As against a target of 61.525 lakh hectares farmland bringing under cultivation this khariff season , 59.809 lakh hectares have been covered by September 2017. Out of this 36.261 lakh hectares have been covered under paddy. Till now crops in as many as 114 blocks have been affected due to scanty rainfall.
The chief minister directed the concerned departments to ensure supply of water from lift irrigation points and canals. He also stressed the need for making available jobs to the people under MNREGA in the drought prone areas.
Revenue and disaster management minister Maheswar Mohanty, cooperation minister Surya Narayan Patro, chief secretary AP Padhi, development commissioner R.Balakrishnan, agriculture production commissioner Gagan Dhal and other senior officers attended the review meeting.
