BHUBANESWAR: The showers may have returned, thanks to the low pressure over Bay of Bengal, but the agriculture sector is staring at grave uncertainty with massive rainfall deficit recorded across the State.
With the cyclonic circulation leading to formation of the low pressure area, almost all the regions have received steady rainfall in the last 48 hours but the showers must continue till next week to ensure that normal agricultural activities continue.
“The current spell of rainfall is barely adequate. Some places have already reported sprouted blight while overall, there still exists heavy rainfall deficit. If the rain does not continue well into next week, it could mean real trouble for farming activity,” Director, Agriculture R Santh Gopalan said on Saturday.
The situation has, indeed, been gloomy. Rainfall map for the monsoon season so far (from June 1 to July 11) shows that the State has received 171.1 mm rainfall against the normal 323.9 mm, registering an overall deficit of 47 per cent.
In all the first five weeks of the monsoon season, the deficit ranged from 80 per cent (June 11) to 47 per cent (July 9). At least 17 districts recorded full five weeks of deficit while 12 witnessed deficit in four weeks. And the pattern has been uniform across the regions.
The Agriculture Director said the India Meteorological Department has predicted the rain to continue till July 15. If that does not happen, the real problem will begin and farmers may be forced to switch to alternative crops, he added.
The IMD sources said the current spell of rains will continue till July 14 after which the intensity of showers will decrease. However, there is possibility of another spell of rain with a fresh system around July 19-20.
Deficit Rain May Lead to Gloomy Days
“Since the soil moisture level will rise after this spell of showers, it may aid the farming activities,” Director, IMD, Odisha SC Sahu said.
Meanwhile, the State Government has put in place a contingency plan apprehending distress migration from the vulnerable districts caused by the prolonged dry spell. The Panchayati Raj Department has asked all the Collectors to take up labour intensive works under the MGNREGS in order to provide employment to people. In drought-prone districts, the Collectors have been asked to initiate renovation of traditional water bodies through desilting of irrigation tanks and ponds. Micro and minor irrigation works, water conservation and harvesting activities must also be taken up.
Dry spell
State has received 171.1 mm rainfall
Normal rainfall 323.9 mm
Deficit 47%
17 districts recorded full five weeks of deficit
12 districts witnessed deficit in four weeks