Dry spell triggers drought worry

Sambalpur: Farmers of the region have fallen on hard times due to poor rainfall because of a fickle monsoon. Spectre of a drought-like situation haunts them if the situation remains unchanged for another couple of week.
"Normally kharif cultivation starts on Bahuda Dasami (July 7 this year) every year, but this time farming is yet to peak due to dry weather.Though irrigation facilities are in place, we do not know how long it would sustain farming," farmer of Satupali village Umesh Mishra said. He apprehended a difficult time ahead in case there is no rainfall for another couple of week.
Officials of agriculture department are still hopeful of a better weather conditions in coming days. "Though there is poor rainfall this year, cultivation of paddy has already started in 25% areas. The farmers of the rest of the areas are waiting for rain," deputy director of agriculture (Sambalpur) Ashok Mohanty said.
According to him, paddy is cultivated on 1.94 lakh hectare of the district with majority of areas having irrigation facilities. "If there is no rainfall by end of July then farmers would take up cultivation in less area, affecting overall production," Mohanty said.
The weatherman said Sambalpur receives 1,495 mm rainfall normally during monsoon of which 1,317 mm rainfall is recorded between June and September. But this time, from June to till date, the district has received less than 110 mm rainfall, which is less than half of the normal.
Meanwhile, water level of Hirakud Reservoir has reduced drastically over past few days. The officials have tried to preserve water to continue irrigation although this has adversely affected electricity production. On Saturday the water level of the reservoir come down to 597.9 feet against dead-level of 590 feet, minimum level to ensure irrigation. Only 19.7 MW electricity was produced during the day.
"Our priority is now to continue irrigation. We have sufficient water to continue irrigation for another 10 to 15 days," superintending engineer of Hirukud Dam Project R K Panda said. He apprehended irrigation would take a hit in case the water level goes below 593 feet.