The last few days’ downpour has drastically improved the state’s rain deficit. As of now, the state has received 816.5 mm rainfall which is one per cent above the average normal rain of 809.4 mm. This is the first time that the state has received excess rainfall this season, meteorology department officials said on Tuesday.
Sources in the meteorological department said five of the total 30 districts in the state have received excess rainfall between 25 and 29 percent and 18 districts have received normal rain. Sambalpur has recorded 29 per cent above average rainfall, followed by Nayagarh and Cuttack (27 per cent each), Jharsuguda (26 per cent) and Bargarh (25 per cent).
There are seven districts in the state which are still suffering from rainfall deficit even though their condition has improved.
Balasore district, which suffered with rainfall deficit for over a month, has reduced its deficit to 32 per cent followed by Gajpati (27 per cent)), Bhadrak and Deogarh (24 per cent each), and Jajpur and Mayurbhanj (20 per cent each).
The last few days’ showers have brought smiles on the faces of farmers. Paddy, the major crop in the state has been covered in 29.43 lakh hectare area in kharif this year so far against 27.35 lakh hectare area covered during the corresponding period last year.
