Drought scare looms over 8 S’garh blocks

With scanty rainfall in eight blocks, a spectre of drought looms large over Sundargarh district. Even though low pressure brought good rainfall and even triggered flood across the State in the month of July, but Sundargagrh district received less rain.

While the average rainfall in July 2017 was 499.18 mm, it is only 311.86mm in July this year. Though in all 17 blocks, the average rainfall in July is less in comparison to last year’s, but in eight blocks, the situation is alarming and drought like.

As per data, in Rajgangpur Block, while the average rainfall in July 2017 was 368.8 mm, it is 250.4 mm in July this year (32.10 per cent less). In Lephripara Block, it was 395 mm in July 2017 and 183.84 mm in July this year (53.46% less). In Tangarpalli block, 520.1 mm rainfall was received last year in July but it was 160.4 mm this July (69.16 per cent less). Sundargarh Block received 560.6 mm in July last year and 200.5 mm this year over same month (64.23 per cent less). Similarly, in Subdega block it was 630 mm in July last and 221 mm this July (64.92 per cent less), in Bonai Block, it was 578.4 mm last July and 272.1 mm this July (53 per cent less), Balisankara block, it was 362.3 mm last July and 228.6 mm this July (36.90 per cent less) and Kutra Block, it was 334.2 mm last July and 252.8 mm this July (24.36 per cent less). Due to less rainfall, about 96,000 hectares land still lie uncultivated so far. The only relief to the farmers is the heavy rain on July 31 and August 1 in the district i.e. 660.6 mm and 297 mm rainfall respectively, according to Deputy Director (Agriculture), Sundargarh RN Senapati.