Drought may hit Bargarh district this year. Bargarh district is partly irrigated and partly non-irrigated. Blocks under Padampur sub divisions like Gaisilat, Padamur, Jharbandh and Paikmal are non-irrigated. These blocks solely depend on the gambling monsoon for agriculture. Paddy and pulses are cultivated in the Khariff season. But rainfall is registered low this season. Farmers started the cultivation process with the initial rainfall. But later on the rainfall was not adequate and cultivation has been hampered.
We visited a few villages of Gaisilat block. People have already left the paddy fields for cattle grazing. If water is not supplied within one week then the paddy fields may die. It will turn into straw. Almost a month has passed, it is not raining now. All other water resources like ponds etc are in shortage of water due to low rainfall. The small quantity of remaining water has been reserved for bathing purpose etc. Farmers are in deep trouble and worry. This year the region may hit severe drought than last year.