Even as a low pressure area (LOPAR) is brewing over Bay of Bengal and is predicted to trigger widespread rain, farmers in the State have kept their fingers crossed, as the southwest monsoon has proved to be erratic.
The State government too has pinned its hopes on rains expected to be induced by the LOPAR.
“Impact of LOPAR will be felt over next two days (July 13 and 14). Then, the system is likely to move in northwest direction, which would cause rain in northern parts of State. During past 24 hours, southern parts of the State have got some precipitation,” said S. C. Sahu, Director of Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, here on Saturday.
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Dr. Sahu said, “Southwest monsoon is likely to be stronger in days to come. This year’s monsoon was disturbed by cyclonic storm over Arabian Sea last month. Now, the situation is improving. A few more atmospheric systems like this one would bring normal rainfall.”
The rain received during past 48 hours has brought down rain deficiency from 51 per cent to 46 per cent between July 10 and 12.
“Rainfall expected to be caused by LOPAR over Bay of Bengal is very critical for the current crop season. If it does not rain for next four to five days, this crop season will be seriously hit. Farmers remain undecided to continue their farming,” said S. Santhanagopalan, Director of Agriculture and Food Production, here on Saturday.
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Mr. Santhangopalan said, “This year’s crop coverage has been low compared to last year because of uncertainty over the monsoon. In many places, sprouting has been affected badly due to deficient rainfall.”
Meanwhile, the State government has asked all District Collectors to step up their efforts to combat possible drought-like situation.
“During rainy season, there is no bar on taking up earth works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, provided it is measureable. Collectors will take up sufficient projects so that employment can be provided to the deserving or needy households,” Panchayati Raj Secretary D. K. Singh noted in the letter addressed to the Collectors.
“Of 81,44,012 rural households (2011 Census data), about 63,67, 077 households have been provided with job cards. All field functionaries should be sensitised to providing employment on demand, timely measurement of work and payment of wages. In this regard, the Collectors should hold a meeting with BDOs, line department officers, officials of bank and Postal department,” Mr. Singh maintained.
He suggested that water in tanks, ponds, check dams and diversion weirs be preserved for alternative or Rabi crops. Collectors were asked to prepare a contingency plan to tackle a situation arising out of deficient rainfall.