Drought reports sought from DCs

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Bhubaneswar: A drought-like situation looms large in parts of state especially in western Odisha due to lack of adequate rainfall during the monsoons. Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has sought reports from collectors in this regard.
According to official sources, 67 blocks in 19 districts have recorded a dry spell for a continuous period of three weeks and more.
The drought-like situation may affect Angul, Bargarh, Bolangir, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Ganjam, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur, Nayagarh, Nuapada, Rayagada, Sonepur, Sambalpur and Sundargarh
districts.
“We have asked all collectors to submit reports on the drought-like situation in their respective districts. The state Agriculture department has been advised to closely monitor the situation,” said joint relief commissioner Pravat Ranjan Mohapatra.
Speaking to Orissa POST, agriculture secretary Sourav Garg said, “We have received the rainfall deficiency report by IMD. But it has to be verified at the ground-level. Afterwards, we may be able to take a decision.”
When a district records a rainfall of 700 to 800 mm, the IMD will term it as rain-deficit situation. But, for agricultural activities at least 400 to 500 mm rainfall is needed.
If there is no rainfall for three or four weeks, then the situation may become difficult. “As per our observation so far, such situation has arisen in eight to 10 blocks,” the secretary said.