BHUBANESWAR: June, a critical month for the sowing of kharif crops, has recorded a troubling rainfall deficit of about 52 percent in Odisha over the past week (June 18 to 24), hindering farming operations in the region.

According to the latest data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), 12 districts in the state fall into the large deficient category (60 percent or more) during this period. These districts include Deogarh (90 percent), Jajpur (79 percent), Malkangiri (74 percent), Gajapati (71 percent), Khordha, Angul, and Sambalpur (70 percent each), Balasore (69 percent), Sundargarh and Kalahandi (64 percent each), Kandhamal (61 percent), and Jagatsinghpur (60 percent). Additionally, 15 districts are categorized as having a deficit (20 percent to 59 percent), while only three districts experienced normal rainfall in the last week.

The state has been facing a notably weak monsoon since the start of June, with only 70.9 mm of rainfall recorded compared to an average of 137.2 mm from June 1 to 22. Typically, Odisha receives an average of 209.3 mm of rain during the month of June. With just one week left in the month, weather experts indicate that the rainfall shortfall is unlikely to improve.

Kharif crops are primarily grown in all 30 districts of Odisha during the southwest monsoon season (June to September). Approximately 315 districts nationwide are expected to be impacted by low monsoon rainfall, predominantly in 12 states: Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, according to officials.