NUAPADA: Farmers of Nuapada are apprehensive of drought with the rain playing truant in the region. Agriculture officials said if the prevailing dry spell continues, drought is inevitable in the district.
Nuapada received 297 mm of rainfall against the normal of 201.3 mm in June. The good spell raised hopes of farmers for a good paddy crop. Many of the small and marginal farmers also availed agricultural loans to take up cultivation work. However, deficit rainfall in July left the farmers at the crossroad. The district received 278.32 mm of rainfall in July against the normal 347.1 mm.
This month, there has been no good rain so far.
Till August 13, the district has received 69.36 mm of rainfall against normal 327.8 mm.
In June, Komna block received highest rainfall of 448 mm while Sinapali got the lowest 62 mm. Similarly, Khariar block received 368.6 mm of rainfall, Nuapada block 273.4 mm while Boden recorded 203 mm.
In July, Khariar block recorded the highest rainfall of 481 mm followed by Komna block which registered 401 mm, Nuapda 198.6 mm, Boden 171 mm and Sinapali registered the lowest rainfall of 140 mm.
Nuapada MLA Basanta Panda said the district BJP has tried to draw the attention of the State Government to the situation. “Standing crops in high land and medium land have already perished,” he said.
District Emergency Officer Chandrahas Nayak said a close watch is being kept on the situation. “If there is no rain soon, there would be drought,” he said.