IMPHAL, Oct 8 - A State-level high powered committee has been formed to look into the drought-like condition in Manipur and provide necessary assistance.
This was disclosed by Chief Minister N Biren Singh while speaking on the concluding day of 63rd Wildlife Week celebration here on Monday.
Informing that the State Government has received complaints of drought-like situation in the paddy fields of the State, the Chief Minister said the affected areas are in Bishnupur, Imphal East and parts of Thoubal district.
�The government has so far identified 51 places, 25 in Imphal East, 15 in Bishnupur and 11 in Imphal West, to provide water (to the dry paddy fields) through river lift irrigation,� he said. �Around 60/70 water pumps will also be procured according to requirement�, he added.
Deficit rainfall in Manipur this year in comparison to last year has left the paddy fields in a parched condition. As a result, the farmers fear that the yield will be drastically reduced this time.
Manipur receives an average annual rainfall of around 1,600 mm. However, the State received just 1,181 mm of rainfall from January to September this year, which is 314 mm less than the average rainfall (1,465 mm), according to official rainfall data. Last year, the State had recorded 2,439 mm of rainfall.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Director Ph Rajendro participating in a discussion here said that the State Government is planning to take up assured irrigation projects across 20,000 ha of land in Manipur.
In 2017, around 20 per cent of Manipur�s total agriculture area, estimated to be around two lakh hectares, was affected by floods, according to Agriculture department.