Farmers fear another ‘dry’ year as rain eludes

Deficient rainfall is once again throwing up spectre of drought expected in parts of Chhattisgarh with farmers worried about another bad year in farming. Going by the data of Regional Meteorological Center, Raipur, a total of 15 out of 27 districts in the State have had deficient rainfall and the situation in the Balrampur district had been the worst.

Regarding precipitation from June 1 to July 11, 2018, rainfall in south Chhattisgarh had been recorded as better than the normal while the terrain areas such as Raigarh, Janjgir-Champa and some parts of north Chhattisgarh including Balrampur have recorded less than normal rainfall.

Districts which have received less than normal rainfall include --Balrampur 76 m.m. (75% less than normal), Raigarh 161.08 m.m. (49% lesser), Gariaband 159.06 m.m. (46% less) and Janjgir-Champa 165 m.m. (46% lesser).

The districts which have received more than normal rainfall till July 11 include Bijapur 612 m.m. (78% greater), Narayanpur 488.2 m.m. (56% greater), Sukma 478.8 m.m. (53% greater) and Durg 406.4 m.m. (35% more than the normal)

The meteorological data indicates overall situation compared to rainfall recorded till date from previous year although comparatively better, but the rainfall received is 15% less than the average rainfall. Director, Meteorological Centre, Raipur, Dr Prakash Khare has however predicted that the State will receive good amount of rainfall over the next 3-4 days.