With Sept being low-rainfall month of monsoon, there is little hope for state
NDRF personnel carry out search and rescue operation, in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, on Sunday. Pic/PTI
Even as the southwest monsoon hit Kerala's shores on June 8, the progress of the rains since then has been abysmal with the threat of drought looming large over the state.
ADVERTISEMENT
Kerala has received only 877.1 mm of rainfall against an estimated 1,556 mm between June 1 and August 15, causing a shortage of 44 per cent of rain, according to weather reports.
From August 1 to August 15, the state received only 25.1 mm rainfall instead of the expected 254.6 mm and this led to around 90 per cent deficit. In Kerala, the monsoon generally touches the peak during August. Now, the state is staring at a massive drought. The IMD has also predicted that Kerala will not get rain for the next 15 days. Things are not rosy in September either. Of the 2,018.7 mm average monsoon rainfall, September accounts for only 13 per cent.
Paddy farming to take hit
Sources in the Kerala government told IANS that the state is relying mainly on the southwest monsoon for farming and if the rains play hide and seek, paddy farming will take a hit.
Dr R Rajeev, who retired from a national weather agency, said, “There is a drought-like condition in Kerala and the possibility of heavy rain making up the pre-sent losses is bleak. We are expecting showers in September and it has to be seen how much effective they will be, given the present weather conditions in the Pacific.
Legal action against 21 dam managements in HP
The Himachal Pradesh government has found that 21 out of the 23 dams in the state have violated safety norms, and said it will take action against their managements.
Officials said the lack of monitoring by government agencies is also being blamed for the violations.
Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena told PTI on Sunday that officers have been directed to prepare a detailed report on the damage caused due to the negligence of the dam authorities.
The officials said the HP State Electricity Board-operated Larji hydropower project in Mandi and Jateon in Sirmaur, and the HP Power Corporation-run Sawra Kuddu project in Shimla and Sainj in Kullu are among the violators.
The flooding in low-lying areas in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh has been attributed to the release of water from the Pong, Pandoh and Malana dams, the officials added.
The officials said only the Kol Dam in Bilaspur and the Karcham Wangtoo project in Kinnaur adhered to the water release guidelines.
Centre gives HP Rs 200 crore
Meanwhile, the Centre on Sunday approved the release of Rs 200 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund as advance assistance to Himachal Pradesh to help with relief measures for affected people.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
