Lucknow. The indifference of monsoon in Uttar Pradesh has now worried the government as well. Major rivers, canals and reservoirs may have enough water bodies, but reports of nearly 62 per cent below normal rainfall have alerted the government. Reviewing the monsoon situation, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed all the relief departments to remain on alert mode. Describing the next one week as challenging, it has been said that we have to be ready for all situations.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the monsoon situation with senior officials of the government at his official residence on Thursday. It was reported that due to the influence of Southwest Monsoon, only 76.6 mm of rainfall has been received till July 13 this year, which is about 62 percent less than the normal rainfall of 199.7 mm.
Meanwhile, Agra remained the only district that received normal rainfall. Lalitpur, Firozabad, Varanasi and Hapur have received normal (80 to 120 per cent) and below normal (60-80 per cent) in Kheri, Deoria, Etah and Bijnor. There are 19 districts where till now only 40 to 60 percent of the normal rainfall has been recorded.
On this, CM Yogi said that this time there is a delay in monsoon. However, along with irrigation from natural rain water, the irrigation facility has been improved by the expansion of canals, tube wells by the government. All the major rivers, canals and reservoirs have sufficient water as per the current situation. This is a satisfactory condition.
He said that sowing of Kharif crops has been affected due to less rainfall. Under Kharif campaign 2022-23, till July 13, 42.41 lakh hectare has been sown in the state against the target of 96.03 lakh hectare, which is only 44.16 percent of the target. In this also 45 percent of the paddy is sown alone. Last year till the same date, 53.46 lakh hectares of land had been sown.
The Chief Minister said that according to the estimates of meteorologists, there is a possibility of good rainfall from July 18. Delayed sowing affects the yield, but we have to be prepared for alternative arrangements. A plan of action should be prepared for all situations. Agriculture, irrigation, relief, revenue etc. related departments should be in alert mode.
His emphasis was on giving special attention to districts like Banda, Chandauli, Hamirpur, Deoria, Jalaun as well as Ballia, Basti, Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Sant Kabirnagar and Shravasti. Yogi said that the next one week can be challenging for us. Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra and other officials were present in the meeting.