Rainfall Deficit Hit Kharif in 4 Districts

Adilabad: A severe rainfall deficit across north Telangana has disrupted kharif operations, forcing many farmers to re-sow cotton seeds due to poor germination. However, agriculture officials say there is still sufficient time for cotton sowing and have advised farmers not to panic.

Adilabad and Mancherial districts are facing significant rainfall deficits, while Komaram Bheem Asifabad and Nirmal districts are also recording below-normal rainfall. Other districts in the region, including Nizamabad, Jagtial and Peddapalli, are similarly experiencing deficient rainfall.

Agriculture officials and weather experts expect rainfall activity to improve between June 23 and 26 and again during the first week of July, offering some relief to farmers.

There has been virtually no significant rainfall in the erstwhile Adilabad district during the past fortnight. Many farmers who sowed cotton during the Mrigasira season in early June are now facing poor germination due to prolonged dry conditions.

Official data show that Adilabad district has received only 37.1 mm of rainfall against the normal 128.6 mm by June 21, resulting in a deficit of 71 per cent.

In Mancherial district, only 41.6 mm of rainfall has been recorded against the normal 117.6 mm, leaving a deficit of about 65 per cent. Komaram Bheem Asifabad district received 49.9 mm against the normal 120 mm, resulting in a deficit of 58 per cent. Nirmal district recorded 52.2 mm against the normal 111.5 mm, a deficit of 53 per cent.

Agriculture scientists have advised farmers to use sprinkler and drip irrigation systems wherever possible to protect newly sown crops. They also stressed the importance of rainwater conservation in view of the prevailing drought-like conditions in several mandals of Adilabad, Nirmal, Mancherial and Komaram Bheem Asifabad districts.

Adilabad district agriculture officer Sridhar Swamy said farmers could continue cotton sowing until July 15. He advised growers to undertake gap-filling wherever germination is poor to ensure optimum plant population and better yields.

He said farmers may also consider short-duration crops such as red gram if cotton germination is poor on a large scale. Stressing the need for crop diversification, he urged farmers to closely monitor weather conditions while planning their agricultural operations.

Adilabad rainfall deficit: 71%

Normal: 128.6 mm

Actual: 37.1 mm

Mancherial rainfall deficit: 65%

Normal: 117.6 mm

Actual: 41.6 mm

Komaram Bheem Asifabad rainfall deficit: 58%

Normal: 120 mm

Actual: 49.9 mm

Nirmal rainfall deficit: 53%

Normal: 111.5 mm

Actual: 52.2 mm

Farmers who sowed cotton during the Mrigasira season are facing poor germination and are being forced to undertake re-sowing.

Weather forecasts indicate rainfall activity between June 23 and 26, followed by another spell during the first week of July.

Agriculture officials say farmers can continue cotton sowing until July 15.

Farmers have been advised to fill gaps in fields where seeds have failed to germinate to maintain optimum plant population.

Farmers facing widespread germination failure have been advised to consider short-duration crops such as red gram.

Experts recommend the use of drip and sprinkler irrigation to protect newly sown crops.

Agriculture scientists stress the need for rainwater harvesting and conservation measures amid prevailing drought-like conditions.