Monsoon scare: Scarce rainfall affects paddy seedlings in 17 Odisha districts

Bhubaneswar, July 1: Current monsoon plays hide and seek with the Odisha based farmers. Scarce rainfall has affected paddy cultivation in as many as 17 districts across the state. At least 152 blocks are going dry due to want of adequate rainfall with a threat for the paddy farmers. According to the Regional Office of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), there is no spectacular rainfall in Odisha within the next ten days. Meanwhile, the state has got 17 percent less rain as against the normal monsoon shower while as many as 14 districts have faced scanty rainfall during last three weeks. Specifically, Ganjam, Gajapati and Bhadrak have got almost 101.9 mm rain fall each so far, which is about 51 percent less than the average one. Similarly, Keonjhar district has recorded 40 percent less rain during June, at the same time Balangir has recorded 39 percent less rain during this period. As a whole, the average rainfall which is favourable for paddy cultivation in the seedling time is yet to be available for the farmers. As a result, normal sowing and seedling process have been worst affected in as many as 152 blocks. Out of which, at least 91 blocks have gone almost dry due to no or low rain during the initial process of fielding paddy. On the other hand, Odisha had recorded 251 mm rain in the last crop year by the June end which was 15 percent higher than the average rainfall. As a result, it was mostly suitable for paddy cultivation. Major process of field preparation, sowing and seedling was almost completed by June end last year. However, the monsoon scare from the very beginning has brought worries for the paddy growers as they have not prepared their field so far despite monsoon tossed Odisha before time. Agricultural meteorologist Surendranath Pasupalak said, an abnormal rainfall in the ensuing monsoon has been recorded in Odisha after the South-Western monsoon turned up Odisha valley  two days prior to the scheduled time.  However, if the trend of rainfall continues for a long time, it may bring sprout drought in the affected area, he added.