BHUBANESWAR: Nine districts of the State are likely to witness drought conditions because of less than normal rainfall this year.
The districts likely to be affected are Ganjam, Balangir, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Bargarh, Subarnapur and Kandhamal.
Sources said the nine districts have received scanty rainfall during the ongoing monsoon.
There is no possibility of rain in the districts in next eight days.
Kandhamal has received a mere 17 per cent of the average rainfall followed by Boudh (21 per cent), Subarnapur (23 per cent), Kalahandi (24 per cent), Balangir (31 per cent), Dhenkanal, Malkangiri and Ganjam (33 per cent each) and Gajapati, Nayagarh and Sambalpur (34 per cent each) till July 2.
Official sources, however, maintained that conditions for paddy cultivation in the coastal and interior districts have improved following the recent low pressure-induced rainfall.
But the conditions in the Western and Southern districts have become a matter of concern as a drought-like situation has emerged in these areas.