According to official data, Jharkhand has received deficient rainfall till second week of August. The state has received 476 mm of rain as against the normal figures of 771 mm. Paddy sowing has been taken up in only 32 percent of the total land dedicated to the crop in the state.
Several districts have been affected due to scanty rainfall. In six districts, paddy sowing has taken place in less than 10 per cent of the land and in seven districts, in less than 20 per cent of the land. Officials said the government will wait till the third week of the month to assess the rainfall situation.
Meanwhile, demand for declaring Jharkhand a drought hit state has caught clamor with politicians demanding waiving off loans of farmers and immediately providing them compensation of Rs 10,000.
"Any measure will be announced or taken after the third week of the month. The state has witnessed shortfall in rainfall and we are assessing the situation. Concrete measures will be taken considering the exact situation of the rainfall and sowing," an official said.