Chhattisgarh gets one-fourth of average rains in a month

Expecting a bumper paddy crop in kharif season 2013, Chhattisgarh had received more than 25 per cent of the average rains in a month period after monsoon entered the state.

The monsoon struck the region early this year as state. Usually, rains lash the paddy-producing state after June 12. But this year, Chhattisgarh received the first showers of monsoon on June 8 that elated the farmers.

"As of now, the state had received 354 millimeters of rains that was comparatively good as far as average was concerned," officials in the state agriculture department said. In the first fortnight after monsoon entered the state, about 200 mm of rains was recorded in Chhattisgarh.

The average rainfall of the state is 1327.1 millimeter (mm). The officials said that the rainfall was uniform during the period.

Of the 27 districts in the state, 17 districts had received more than 300 mm of rains during the period.

The Bijapur district in Bastar had received highest rainfall. The agriculture department rainfall records said that in last one month, 658 mm of rainfall had been recorded in Bijapur district. Surajpur district however recorded lowest rainfall. In all, 101 mm rainfall was recorded in the district during the period.

The prediction of good monsoon in Chhattisgarh had made the department to set a new record target for paddy production in the state.

The state was expected to produce 7.5 million tonnes of rice in the kharif season 2013 that would be a new record.