Rain deficit pares UP kharif area by million ha, 65% of state faces drought

50 of 75 districts reeling under deficient rainfall, with some receiving less than 20% of normal; paddy, pulses, coarse cereals to take a hit

With over 65% of Uttar Pradesh, among the country’s top agricultural producers, reeling under near drought situation owing to deficient rainfall, the state kharif sowing has already fallen by over a million hectares.

About 50 of total 75 districts have received less than normal rainfall in the current monsoon season with only a dozen districts reporting more than normal downpour. Last year, four dozen districts had reported higher than normal downpour, leading to robust acreage under kharif crops.

Districts like Ghaziabad, Kaushambi, Fatehpur, Mainpuri, Mau, Kushinagar, Chandauli and Chitrakoot have received less than 20 per cent of normal rainfall. Besides, over two