Patana: Almost half of July has passed, but hectares of farmland in most parts of Patana block in Keonjhar district are lying dry due to insufficient rainfall even as farmers are worried over the delay in agricultural activities.
According to a report, the district has received much less rainfall than it is required. This has severely affected farming activities. According to reports, transplantation of paddy saplings has been completed in only 15 per cent of cultivable land. The remaining farmland remains uncultivated.
Weatherman Dr Sharat Chandra Sahu said the district should have received 335.1 mm rainfall till July, but only 266.1 mm was recorded. Farm activities were severely hit due to deficit rainfall in the district, he added.
Another weather expert, Anupama Baliarsingh, said the district has recorded 32 per cent less rainfall than the normal in June. At least 123.1 mm rainfall was expected in July, but only 55.5 mm was recorded. There is a deficit of 54.9 mm rainfall in the district, she added.
District emergency officer Shantanu Kumar Nayak said Hatadihi received 18.1 mm rainfall from July 1 to 14; Patana 18.7 mm; and Harichandanpur 22.4 mm rain.
From July 1 to 13, Champua has recorded 249.2 mm rain; Bansapal 131.8 mm; Ghasipura/Ananadapur 81.5 mm; Saharapada 81.6 mm; Joda 72.4 mm; Telkoi 72.8 mm; Ghatagaon 63.3 mm; Keonjhar 68.8 mm; and Jhumpura 60.8 mm.
Agriculture experts say at least 200 to 250 mm rain is required for carry out agricultural activities in the district.
Farmers were of the view that under such conditions, minor irrigation projects could have been handy for irrigating dray farmlands, but they too don’t have enough to support farming.
Work of the biggest dam project in the district, Kanjahri irrigation project, has been continuing for the last 20 years for various reasons.
Farmers and locals have long been demanding barrages across river Brahmani at Turumunga, Udaypur and Biragobindapur to push irrigation in their areas, but no step is being taken. PNN
