Bhubaneswar: Odisha Agriculture Minister Arun Kumar has urged local authorities Monday to keep a close eye on the drought-like situation that has developed in various parts of Odisha due to the lack of rainfall. This development came after Sahoo conducted Sunday a high-level video conference with district and block level officials of the departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Water Division, Livestock Development and Fisheries
The Minister instructed the officials not to take unnecessary leaves so that they can assess the condition of crops on a regular basis with input from the farming community. Then adequate measures could be taken to prevent amid natural disasters.
Sahoo also directed the officials to keep their cell phones switched on at all times in order to ensure the timely distribution of critical information.
Officials at the block and district levels have been asked to submit statistics on irrigation facilities, rainfall, and drought conditions in their areas on a regular basis, according to the new guidelines. They have been told to hold review meetings at the block and district levels every Saturday at 5.00pm
According to the most recent Meteorological data available, Odisha has received an average rainfall of 681.9 mm, which is 30% less than the amount received between June 1 and September 5.
This monsoon season’s significant lack of precipitation has harmed agricultural activities across the state. In the last three months, 25 of Odisha’s 30 districts have suffered deficiency rainfall ranging from -59 percent to -20 percent.
According to India Meteorological Department, a state or region is reported to have received deficit rainfall when the deficiency stands at 20 per cent or more.