Sambalpur: While most parts of the state are battling heavy to very heavy rainfall triggered by a low pressure in the Bay of Bengal, farmers in as many as 10 districts of Western Odisha are struggling with below average rain which has badly affected farming, reports said.
While the government has alerted a flood like situation due to low pressure, farmers in these districts were left in lurch as the cultivation period for paddy crops is running away. The districts of western Odisha termed the ‘Rice Bowl’ of the state are awaiting rain. All these districts have received at least 59 per cent less rainfall this year.
Below average rainfall has been recorded from districts such as Bargarh, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, Nuapada, Sundargarh, Boudh, Bolangir, Nabrangpur, Subarnapur and Angul.
While Khurda, Malkangiri and Puri received excess rainfall, other 17 districts got normal rain. Even as heavy rainfall is compounding the lives of people, especially in Puri and the twin city, farmers in these 10 districts are left in lurch.
This is a problem the region has been facing over past many years. Even as the month of July is set to end, there was very little rainfall in these districts. Harried farmers are trying to perform several rituals and pujas to appease the rain god, but to no avail.
As per reports, Kalinganagar in Angul district, Sinapali block in Nuapada district and Raighar of Nabrangpur received very little rainfall. Locals feared a drought like situation in these parts.
Meanwhile, farmers have given up the idea of cultivation and have already left their homes and hearths to work as migrant workers in neighbouring states, it was learnt.
PNN
