By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 25, 2021: Odisha faces worst ever drought in recent times with 24 districts reporting deficient rain fall, according to the rainfall report from June 1-August 25, 2021 by the office of the Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha.

Only six districts — Cuttack, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Koraput, Malkangiri and Khordha — have witnessed normal rains according to the report. However, India Meteorological Department’s Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, said out of 30 districts, only three districts — Koraput, Nuapada and Malkangiri — received normal rains in this monsoon.

The prevailing situation prompted Chief Secretary, Suresh Chandra Mohapatra top direct all collectors to come up with measures to tide over the drought-like situation prevailing in the districts. The standing crops of paddy have started drying up due to a lack of water. Farmers will suffer huge losses if the monsoon remains elusive in the coming days as well.

The worst part is that the deficient rainfall has made it difficult for farmers to take up sowing operations for paddy, especially in the non-irrigated parts of the state. More so, rainfall was deficient in June; it has been lesser still in July and August. Rainwater should remain stagnant in the fields for some days as this help in paddy cultivation.

Hapless farmers are trying their best to save their paddy saplings from damage by lifting water from the ground or nearby water bodies through motor-pumps. But poor farmers cannot afford to do this unlike the rich farmers their fields with the help of deep pump machines. Consequently, paddy saplings over large tracts have wilted and cracks have developed in many fields.