Bhubaneswar:The Odisha government on Thursday declared drought of moderate and severe nature in nine districts.
The State Drought Monitoring Cell (SDMC) functioning at OSDMA is monitoring the drought situation in the field, while studying different parameters as prescribed in the Manual for Drought Management, 2016.
As per the analysis, there is rainfall deviation of 39% to 59% (severe deficit) in 5 Blocks namely, Muribahal, Loisinga & Belapada of Balangir District and 2 Blocks namely, Sundargarh Sadar & Tangarapalli of Sundargarh District.
Another 30 Blocks in 12 Districts experienced deficit rainfall (shortfall between 19% and 39%). 100 Blocks in 19 districts have experienced dry spell period of continuous three weeks and more.
Accordingly, the Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department and the Collectors were requested for joint verification of the crop condition in the field and submission of report.
As per the reports received from the Collectors through the Director, Agriculture & Food Production, Odisha, 233173.8 hectares of crop land in 5633 villages under 1186 Gram Panchayats of 66 Blocks and 16 ULBs of 9 Districts namely, Baragarh, Bolangir, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Sambalpur and Sundargarh have sustained crop loss of 33% and above due to moisture stress.
Accordingly, the State Government have declared Drought of Moderate/ Severe natures in the above areas vide Gazette Notification No.8537 dt.31.10.2018 and authorized the Collectors to undertake relief measures in the notified area.