Lucknow, Aug 21 As many as sixty-four districts in Uttar Pradesh have received less than normal rainfall this monsoon.
Several of these districts are facing a drought-like situation.
As per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) data, only 11 of the 75 districts in the state have received normal rainfall till August 19.
However, a government spokesman said that the rain in coming days will bridge the deficit.
Relief Commissioner Ranvir Prasad said the government is monitoring the situation and it is still too early to declare drought.
"We are looking at every aspect of the monsoon closely and data is being collected on a daily basis. Rainfall has been less but it will be too early to announce drought because we are still in sowing season," he said.
Jaunpur is among the districts that have received least rainfall this monsoon.
The IMD data says that the district has received 74 per cent less rainfall. It has recorded only 123.2 mm of rainfall this monsoon compared with the long-period average (LPA) of 471.5 mm till August 19 and falls under the category of large deficit regions.
Experts are of opinion that paddy farms ideally require to be inundated by at least a few inches of water for around a month after transplantation. Lack of rain leads to the growth of weed and affects the development of the plant.
In eastern parts of the state, the rainfall is 50 per cent less than the LPA.
Farrukhabad has received 80 per cent less rainfall while 39 districts in the state have received less than 50 per cent rainfall.
The government spokesman said that the district-level officials have been asked to maintain contact with farmers and agriculture scientists to provide correct information to farmers on ways to deal with the situation.
"Any decision on declaring drought will be taken as per laid down protocols after monsoon in October," he added.
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