Drought-like situation in 12 districts, says Odisha Minister

Odisha sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Oct 14:

A total 107 blocks across 12 districts in the state are facing drought-like situation, revealed Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Bijayshree Routray here today.

“By now out of the 314 blocks, 107 are facing drought like situation. These blocks are spread across 12 districts such as Baleswar, Boudh, Jajpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Khurda, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur, Nayagarh, Puri and Subarnapur. Reports received by the agriculture department so far show crop loss to the extent of 33 per cent in 2,57,930 hectare of land in 12 districts. The assessment is based on eye estimation, crop cutting estimates are yet to come,” said Routray speaking to reporters.

According to preliminary estimates by the Revenue department, Khurda is the worst affected district with bad crops in 66,540 hectare of land. Besides, crops have also been damaged in 37,388 hectare in Kalahandi district, 34,388 hectare in Nabarangpur district, 21,494 hectare in Nayagarh and 16,724 hectare in Keonjhar as per the estimate.

“The situation may improve if there are rains in the coming days. The cumulative rainfall in the state from June one to September 30 counted for a shortfall of 9.9 per cent. Officials of the departments of Agriculture and Revenue are carrying out a joint survey on the crop loss arising out of the drought-like situation,” he added.

Notably, the average rainfall in the state during June was 8.4 per cent, more than the long term average. The rainfall in the months of July and August, however, recorded a shortfall of 9.3 per cent and 25.2 per cent respectively.

Even though the rainfall was inadequate during the first week of September, there had been good downpour in the third week in south and coastal districts. The average rainfall in the month, however, was less by 4.3 per cent of the long term average of the state.