Will Odisha witness Severe Drought in 2015?

As the IMD downgraded rainfall to 88% this year, severe drought conditions may prevail in the country. Odisha will be worst-hit if that happens. The monsoon has been delayed by a week. It will hit the Kerala Coast on June 5. Odisha may witness monsoon rains only after June 22.

While the monsoon may hit Odisha after June 22, there won’t be adequate rains, it has been predicted. Even, there may be less rains during the month of July and August, which means, crop loss situation may occur.

The situation has been attributed to El Nino factor, which may continue till September 2015. The Odisha Government is worried about the possible drought situation, which will impact the entire country, but may affect Odisha largely along with some other states.

According to experts, Odisha may witness the repetition of 2002 drought situation. In that year, the state had received 22% less rainfall, but crop yield was reduced by 30%.