It has been the season of extremes for Odisha. After a prolonged dry spell threatened a drought-like situation across the State, Phailin has left behind a crisis of deluge.
During the monsoon of 2012, Odisha received a total rainfall of 1,144 mm against the normal of 1149 mm between June 1 and September 30. Cut to the current year. The State received 1120 mm rain till September-end. In the span of first 16 days of October, it was battered by at least 220 mm rain against the normal showers of 74 mm, recording a 195 per cent rise. In fact, a comparison of the overall rainfall picture between the current year and last year does not show much difference. The State had received about 1189 mm rain last year between June and October. This year, it has been 1248 mm. While October 2012 recorded 69 mm rain, the corresponding month this year has seen 220 mm.
“This is what climate change is capable of. It has changed the whole scenario in just one month - from drought-like situation to flooded agricultural fields,” said an officer of the Agriculture Department. A look at the rainfall figures of August and September says how.
During August, the State received deficient and scanty rainfall for three weeks. The week ending August 7 recorded 40 per cent deficient rainfall followed by 29 per cent deficit during next week. The week ending August 28 saw the deficiency rising to 68 per cent.
Similar pattern prevailed in September when first three weeks reported 40-plus per cent deficiency. Agriculture sector was worried as farmers stared at dry conditions till the last week of September when rainfall intensified and a 52 per cent excess shower was recorded.
October turned the whole dry spell scenario on its head. So much so that 28 districts are now grappling with excess rainfall. Mayurbhanj has borne the brunt with 439 per cent excess rainfall - 435 mm against the normal of 80.7 mm. Districts such as Deogarh, Balasore, Sundargarh, Sambalpur and Sonepur have recorded over 300 per cent excess shower to deal with.
“This is going to be the order of the future. Odisha needs to manage its water resources carefully because climate change will manifest itself in such extreme weather conditions in the years to come,” a senior officer of Water Resources Department said.
