Odisha asks collectors to assess drought situation

Bhubaneswar, Oct 17 (IANS) The Odisha government has asked the District Collectors to ensure correct assessment of the drought situation as 98 of the state's 314 blocks had a dry spell this monsoon, said an official on Tuesday.

In a letter, Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi asked the District Collectors to ensure that geo-tagged photographs of the croplands are taken and supervision by senior officers documented.

Sethi said where there is a drought-like situation, officers need to collect corroborative information regarding the status of minor irrigation projects, depletion of groundwater, scarcity of water, increased demand for work in public works like MGNREGS and increased migration of labour, shortage of fodder and attendance in anganwadi centres and schools.

"The corroborative information should be submitted along with the report on crop damage for making a holistic evaluation of the situation. The report should be filed by October 22," said Sethi.

Earlier, the state government had received reports regarding prevalence of a dry spell in at least 98 of the 314 blocks.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon has withdrawn from the whole of Odisha from Tuesday, the met department said here.

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