Rainfall rate declines, Tamenglong affected, survey on
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 04 2014:
Average rainfall in the entire North East region including Manipur for the current year so far is 25 per cent less than the normal.
On account of scanty rainfall, terraced cultivation has been severely affected in different parts of Tamenglong district.
As such, a survey has been launched to find out a paddy variety which can mature in the shortest period.
According to an official of the Directorate of Environment, reports compiled by the Indian Meteorological Department suggest that rainfall rate in the North East region has been declining this rainy season (June to September).
So far, the rainfall rate is 25 per cent less than the normal.
Average rainfall rate of Manipur during the past 60 years (1950-2010) was 1450 mm.
But the rainfall rate underwent a dramatic change during the past 10 years starting from 2010 .
The declining rainfall rate has necessitated alteration in the cropping pattern of the State, said the official.
Because of the reduced rainfall rate, terraced cultivation has been severely affec- ted in five sub-divisions of Tamenglong district.
SDOs together with the District Agriculture Office has launched a survey to identify paddy varieties which would grow and mature fastest.
Information received from the district administration said that cultivation procedures for selected paddy varieties would be initiated by the last week of the current month or the first week of September.
Likewise, paddy cultivation in the surrounding areas of Senapati district headquarters has been affected by insufficient rainfall.
The district administration has already started collection of reports about the grim situation, added the official.