Dry spell affects farm yield in Uttarakhand

With the long dry spell plaguing many parts of north India, the situation is getting worse in Uttarakhand where farmers in the hills are mostly dependent on rains.

The situation is grimmer in the hilly region, which received only 5 mm of rainfall since January 1. This was 90 per cent less than the average rainfall and has raised the spectre of a drought in the state.

Agriculture Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, who is monitoring the situation, also expressed concern in this regard.

The meteorological department here said the situation in Uttarakhand was bad because the hill state usually gets sufficient rains in comparison to neighbouring states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, which receive a deficit rainfall of 75 per cent and 99 per cent, respectively.

Subhash Kumar, principal secretary to the chief minister, said the long dry spell has badly affected wheat and other crops in Uttarakhand, forcing the state government to seek report from all the 13 districts. Reports from districts like Chamoli, Tehri and Rudraprayag have already indicated that the situation has failed to improve. Other districts are also expected to submit their reports within one week.

Meanwhile, the state government is chalking out an emergency plan to provide immediate relief to farmers.

At least six tehsils of Almora district have also reported more than 60 per cent loss of crops like wheat.

Concerned over the dry spell, Chief Minister BC Khanduri would urge the Centre to send a survey team to assess the damage in view of scanty rainfall.