Drought spectre looms large over six Odisha districts

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Aug 11:

The spectre of drought is looming large over some parts of Odisha due to meagre rainfall since June this year.

droughtOverall, the state has received 13 percent less than the normal rainfall from June till August 10. But the situation is particularly bad in six districts.

Due to scanty rainfall, canal water has not reached agricultural lands as a result of which there is no agricultural activity.

While 11 districts have received less than average rainfall, six districts have had below normal rainfall till August 10.

According to local Met office statistics, as against the average rainfall of 680 mm in Odisha from June to August 10, the state has received 570 mm rainfall this year which is 13 percent less than the average rainfall.

The situation in three coastal districts and three southern districts has become precarious.

While Puri, Nayagarh and Khordha districts have received 40% less than the normal rainfall, there has been 39% less rainfall in Bolangir district and 37% less each in Kandhamal and Koraput districts.

Meanwhile, the Met office has predicted heavy rainfall in the south and interior south districts of Odisha in the next 48 hours under the influence of a low pressure.

In a release today, the Met office has said two cyclonic circulations have been formed. While one cyclonic circulation has been formed in the north of Bay of Bengal and lying over Chhattisgarh and its adjacent areas, another has been formed in the west-central Bay of Bengal and is lying over Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The two cyclonic circulations are likely to take shape of a low pressure in the next 48 hours.

Under its influence, heavy rainfall is likely in most parts in the south and interior south Odisha districts in the next 48 hours.

The rainfall in these areas will increase from today while there would be sporadic rainfall in other parts of the state in the next three days, the release added.

Also Read

Comments are closed.