Dry spell in hinterland of Orissa

BHUBANESWAR: Even as coastal parts of the State have lately been battered by heavy showers, large chunks of Orissa continue to thirst for the monsoon rains. A latest estimate shows that just about 16 districts have received normal rainfall while the rest have witnessed a prolonged dry spell.At least five districts received highly deficient rainfall. Bargarh, Balangir, Boudh, Malkangiri and Nuapada recorded a deviation of 50 per cent and more while Angul, Deogarh, Kalahandi, Koraput and Sonepur showed a deficiency ranging between 30 and 50 per cent.According to reports available from the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, the deviation in rainfall for the whole State for July 18 stands at - 35 per cent. Against an actual rainfall of 197.4 mm, Orissa so far has received 127.2 mm.With farmers facing wrath of the nature either due to dry spell or caused by untimely rains last year, the uncertain monsoon has cast a spell of gloom.Such has been the condition that some of the districts have recorded deficient rainfall for several successive weeks. Bargarh reported at least three consecutive weeks of below normal rain while Balangir recorded four successive weeks. Boudh, for example, reported over 60 per cent deficient rainfall for three consecutive weeks ending July 13, while Malkangiri and Nuapada reported as many as six such weeks.While at least half of the districts were staring at a drought-like situation, at least nine had comfortable situation. Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Keonjhar, Khurda and Mayurbhanj were on the positive side of deviation. Bhadrak reported 28 per cent more rainfall above normal, the highest for any district yet.The weather experts, however, offer hope. Since there is still time for recovery, more districts would have a better position.In the last three to four days, monsoon showers have intensified over the State and heavy rainfall has been recorded.