ROURKELA: Rain has brought a sigh of relief to the farmers of Sundargarh district. In the last five days, most of the 17 blocks and four urban local bodies (ULBs) in the district received heavy to medium rainfall. As a result, farmers are ready to begin their agricultural works.
Sundargarh-based Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA), KN Mohapatra said the entire district received good rainfall at varied points of time and preliminary agricultural works like tilling of land and sowing of seeds have started at various blocks. Owing to favourable weather condition, paddy farming would begin in full swing after Raja festival.
He said distribution of seeds and fertiliser is underway.
Over the last three days, Rourkela city has been receiving heavy rainfall and the maximum temperature came down to 37.1 degree Celsius, while the minimum was 24.4 on Monday. Till Thursday, the city was burning at 45.4. Temperature in rest of the district has also come down.
60 mm Rainfall at Koraput
Koraput: Moderate to heavy rain lashed Koraput district, bringing relief to the locals. Since wee hours of Monday, many areas experienced rain and by evening, the district had received 60 mm of rainfall. The temperature came down to 23 degree Celsius on Monday evening.
It also brought relief to farmers who are looking forward to start agricultural activities for next crop season. Those who are yet to cut their rabi paddy have been advised by the Agriculture Department officials to do so at the earliest.
The officials said the rain would continue for next three to four days. Meanwhile, markets and business establishments remained closed for the day with people preferring to remain indoors.
Earlier, the south-west monsoon had arrived in the State, ahead of its scheduled arrival, on Saturday last.
The monsoon hit some portions of Koraput and adjoining Malkangiri resulting in widespread rainfall.
