Agricultural operation in current Kharif crop season has been badly hit with southwest monsoon playing truant in Odisha.As against the State’s average rainfall of 393.3 mm rainfall by July 17 (Wednesday), 290.1 mm precipitation has been recorded, which is deficit by 26.23%. Only Koraput district has received surplus rainfall while in the rest 29 districts, rainfall has been in negative.
“Since below 19% rainfall is considered normal, 13 districts have been categorized as normal. Seventeen districts have recorded deficit rainfall,” said S. C. Sahu, Director of Centre for Environment and Climate (CEC) at the SOA University.Mr. Sahu said five districts such as Gajapati, Balangir, Balasore, Rayagada and Kandhamal have recorded above 40% deficit rainfall. In the southern Odisha district of Gajapati, the deficit has been as high as 60%.