Erstwhile Adilabad continues to see deficit rainfall, worrying farmers

The erstwhile Adilabad district continues to face below-normal rainfall more than 45 days after the onset of the southwest monsoon. Farmers are worried about the prolonged dry spell and are also struggling with a shortage of farm labourers, increasing cultivation costs

Adilabad: The erstwhile Adilabad district continues to receive scanty rainfall even after 45 days since the onset of the southwest monsoon. The prolonged dry spell has left farmers worried.

According to the weather report on the Telangana Development Planning Society website, Adilabad district received 219 mm of rainfall against the normal 330 mm from June 1 to July 12, reflecting a deficit of 34 per cent.

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Except for six mandals – Jainad, Bela, Indervelli, Mavala, Tamsi and Talamadugu – which received normal rainfall, 15 mandals recorded deficient rainfall ranging from 9 per cent to 53 per cent. Bazarhathnoor mandal recorded a large rainfall deficit of 66 per cent.

Similarly, Mancherial district received 186 mm of rainfall against the normal 283 mm, recording a deficit of 34 per cent. Eleven of the total 18 mandals were still reeling under deficient rainfall. Dandepalli mandal recorded a large rainfall deficit of 67 per cent.

Nirmal district received 204 mm of rainfall against the normal 281 mm, posting a deficit of 27 per cent. Fifteen of the total 19 mandals recorded deficient rainfall ranging from 14 per cent to 53 per cent.

Kumram Bheem Asifabad district received 262 mm of rainfall against the normal 322 mm, recording a deficit of 19 per cent. Rebbena, Kagaznagar, Penchikalpet and Dahegaon mandals experienced deficient rainfall ranging from 31 per cent to 46 per cent. Bejjur mandal recorded a large rainfall deficit of 60 per cent.

Meanwhile, farmers are facing difficulties due to a severe shortage of farm labourers. They are forced to rely on herbicides and weeding machines, resulting in an additional financial burden. They said they were unable to engage labourers to remove weeds in cotton and soybean fields even after offering Rs 500 per day.