Even though its rainy season in Jharkhand, the residents will have to wait for some heavy showers and widespread rainfall.
According to the Meteorological Centre Ranchi, the rainfall statistics released on July 17 for Jharkhand show that the State is facing a rain deficit of 39 per cent. From June 1 to July 17, he State has received 229.2 mm of rain where as the ideal amount of rain during this period should have been 376.6 mm. In the past week monsoon has been weak in Jharkhand because monsoon trough line had shifted towards the north- foothills of the Himalayas.
“Because of weak monsoon activity, the rain deficit is presently at 39 per cent where as last week it was at 30 per cent. The monsoon trough is coming back to its normal position. With this the rain activity is likely to increase in the State. Presently the system is still not very significant for any heavy showers or widespread rainfall is not expected,” said Senior Scientist, MET Observatory Centre- Ranchi, Dr. RS Sharma
The weather department is expecting light to moderate rainfall at few places for the next few days in central and southern parts of Jharkhand. Apart from a few districts, rain is deficit in Jharkhand but some enhanced activity is expected over the state after four to five days.
The maximum deficit level 62 per cent was recorded at Khunti, which has only received 157.9 mm of rain against the normal 416 mm. The State Capital has a rain deficit of 45 percent and has received 217.2 mm of rain while the normal amount should be 396.4 mm.
“Weather is alarming so far as right amount of rainfall is not being received. The forecast is also that in the next 2-3 days there will sporadic or light showers but maybe after July 20 good amount of rainfall can be expected,” said A Wadood, an agro- meteorological scientist at Birsa Agriculture University (BAU), Ranchi.
“In Jharkhand there are three land situations- upland, middle land and low land. In upland and middle upper land sowing of direct crops and raising the nurseries have been badly affected due to scanty and deficit rainfall. The farmers are being given contingent crop planning from BAU,” Wadood added.
In upland farmers are being advised to plant maize and pulses like arhar, urad, jwar, ragi, madua and soyabean instead of paddy which requires more water. In middle land farmers can opt for paddy which is of medium or short duration- not more than 90- 100 days.
“There are varieties of 130- 135 days recommended for medium and low land but at this point of time, farmers should go for transplanted paddy but of short duration variety with less water requirements” said Wadood
However, he added that for typical low land, farmers can go for long duration varieties as in low land there are no options other than transplanted rice.
