Odisha has received 52-per cent less rainfall during the month of June, reveals a latest report on crop weather situation.

According to the official statistics, as on June 15, the State has received 44.8 MM rainfall, while normal rainfall is 93.8 MM.

The Crop Weather Watch Group held its review meeting on June 17 under chairmanship of Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) Gagan Kumar Dhal.

It came to the fore that Odisha has received scanty rainfall during the month of June with a minus 52.2-per cent deviation.

Odisha received excess rainfall of 21 per cent in April. Against normal rainfall 33.1 MM, it received 37.7 MM. As against normal rainfall of 63.3 MM in May, the State received 85.3 MM which was 34.7 per cent more during the month. However, in June it received scanty rainfall, causing concern among the farmers.

In comparison to earlier years, June this year has turned out to be a dry month. In 2018, June, the State received 74.1 MM rainfall, where as in 2017 June, Odisha received 48.0 MM rainfall. In June 2016, Odisha received 44.5 MM rainfall and in June, 2015, the State had received 49.6 MM rainfall, said sources.

Against this backdrop, crop coverage in June has been achieved at 1.71 lakh hectares, which is much less than other years. Last year by June crop coverage was 2.62 lakh hectares. During 2015, by June 4.20 lakh  hectares were covered under crop, which was highest during last four years. While crop coverage in June 2016 was 2.46 lakh hectares, in June 2017, it was 2.7 lakh hectares.

Field preparation and broadcasting of Kharif paddy is under progress. Raising of paddy nursery is going on. Sowing of non paddy crops like maize, pulses, jute, oilseeds, vegetables and spices is also under progress, said an official in the Agriculture Department.