RAINFALL DEFICIT PEGGED AT 64% Tuesday, 02 September 2014 | PNS | Chandigarh A crisis of sorts is brewing in the food basket of the country—Punjab and Haryana, which have received scanty monsoon rains so far this year with deficit of over 64 per cent. According to the data between June 1 and August 31 this year, Punjab received a rainfall of 138 mm, against a normal of 400.7 mm for the period, resulting in a deficit of 65 per cent, Met officials in Chandigarh said on Monday. In neighbouring Haryana too, the situation was alarming with the state receiving 131.3 mm rainfall during the period, as against normal 380.3 mm of rain, leaving a deficit of 65 per cent. Union Territory Chandigarh received 244.7 mm of rains between June 1 and August 31 period as against normal of 689.9 mm, resulting in deficit of 65%, the official pointed out. In Punjab, places including Barnala (deficit of 90% against normal), Sangrur (85%), Mansa (82%) Patiala (82%) received scanty rains while the situation was slightly better in comparison at places like Gurdaspur, where the deficit stood at 28%. Places in Haryana which received poor rain included Kurukshetra (80%), Panipat (80%) while the deficit at Yamunanagar stood at 44% for the June 1-August 31 period. Punjab Government had already sought a special a package of Rs2,330 crore from the Centre to deal with prolonged dry spell conditions. Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has expressed concern over prevailing drought-like situation in his State and had recently reviewed the situation with senior officers of the State Government. The State Government has sought from the Centre a special package of Rs4,829.25 crore to deal with the drought-like conditions in the State. With polls in Haryana due in October, Hooda has said that the State will even purchase power at higher rates from other states, but wont allow the crops of the farmers to wither away. Main Opposition INLD had earlier demanded that entire Haryana be declared as drought-hit and farmers be adequately compensated in the hour of crisis. As monsoon closes, there is some good news. After receiving light to moderate rainfall in past 24 hours, several parts of the region are likely to receive more rains in next three days. The local Metrological Department has forecast light rain/thundershower at few places in Haryana and Punjab during next 24-36 hours and increase in intensity and distributions in rainfall afterwards. A Met official said that rain/thundershowers may occur at some places in Taran Tarn, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Bathinda, Mansa and Hoshiarpur districts in Punjab while in Haryana, rainfall is expected in Sirsa district
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 13:53:29 +0000