SAMBALPUR : The district has already received 119.46 mm rainfall in the last three days, bringing cheer among the farmers.
Sambalpur received 283.71 mm of rainfall till July 21 against normal 429.5 mm during the month. Till July 15, there was only 130.09 mm of rainfall, leaving farmers apprehensive of a drought-like situation.
However, with 46.64 mm rainfall recorded on Saturday, followed by 9.71 mm on Sunday and 63.11 mm on Monday, the farmers have started returning to farm fields. Rain has also increased the water level of Hirakud dam reservoir, which stood at 600.33 feet on Monday evening with the inflow of water recorded at 56,278 cusecs.
According to official reports on rainfall pattern in nine blocks of the district, Jujumura received highest rainfall of 181 mm in the last three days, followed by 162 mm in Rairakhol, Kuchinda 155.6 mm, Naktideul 140 mm and Bamra 137.8 mm. Rengali block has received 95 mm rainfall during the period, Jamankira 87.8 mm, Maneswar 64 mm and lowest 52 mm in Dhankauda block.
Deputy Director of Agriculture, Sambalpur, Ashok Mohanty said the rainfall would help recoup the deficiency and delayed transplantation has already started.
Those who had sown the seeds and were worried about saving their crop are also happy as rain has provided the required impetus.