Paddy fields drying up in Chandel, Thoubal
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Kakching, June 30, 2012:
Even though flood has caused havoc in many parts of Jiribam sub division and all the major rivers in Imphal city are running above warning level due to incessant rain in the hill districts over the past few days, farmers in Chandel and Thoubal districts are still waiting for the elusive monsoon with most of their paddy fields remaining dry due to scarcity of rainfall.
Vast tracts of paddy fields have reportedly dried up in Chandel and Thoubal districts and farmers in these two districts are now in a dilemma whether they will be able to plant and harvest their crops in time with the rain still remaining elusive although the season for sowing seeds and planting rice has already crossed halfway.
Traditionally, farmers in Thoubal and Chandel districts are little ahead of their counterparts in other parts of the country in sowing seeds as well as in harvesting crops, but not this time.
For farmers under Tengnoupal Sub Division of Chandel district, now is almost the time to harvest their crops, but so far they have not been able to sow seeds due to scarcity of water.
In such situation, farmers under Tengnoupal Sub Division are looking forward for government help to bail them out from the present crisis.
At the same time, farmers in Thoubal district, especially in Kakching area, are facing the same situation of water scarcity which directly affects rice cultivation in the district.
If the situation persists for a longer period, there might be a famine in the state in the coming year.