JAISALMER: The Met department had predicted normal rain this year in the entire country, but in western Rajasthan a situation of drought looms large in dozens of districts.After 10 years, once again there is a situation of drought in western Rajasthan. The Kharif crops on the fields are burnt for want of rain. In villages the problem of fodder and drinking water has started. In Barmer, Jaisalmer and Jalore districts the situation is getting serious and cattle raisers have started migrating with their cattle. The cost of fodder has also increased.In Jaisalmer and Barmer districts rain has been 60% less than normal and it is expected that situation will further worsen in coming days. The state government has started Girdawari from September 15. The rains have been below normal in Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jalore, Sirohi etc. Due to very less rains the crops have been damaged and ponds have dried.In Rajasthan there has been 100mm less rain than last year. Till August 11 there was 408.76mm rain last year but this year it has been only 312mm. Although compared to normal it has been only 3.39% less but in Rajasthan eight districts have received less than normal rain in Barmer, Jalore, Pali, Sirohi, Ajmer, Dausa, Bundi and Tonk. In Barmer against 270 mm it has rained only 217mm whereas in Jaisalmer it has rained only 81mm against 110mm. About 80% crops have been damaged.In Barmer sowing target was 16 lakh hectares against which sowing was done on 13 lakh hectares and due to no rain 80% crops have suffered damages. Large numbers of people are planning to migrate with cattle. Khartaram Jat, a farmer, said there is severe drought in his village. With first rains Bajra, Gear, Moong were sown but due to no rain crops got damaged.Similar kind is situation is there in Jaisalmer. Kharif sowing target was 5.78 lakh hectares and sowing was done on 3.22 lakh hectares and due to no rains 80-85% crops have been damaged. Jaisalmer district collector Om Kasera said this year rain has been less than normal and Girdawari has been started from September 15 as per directions of the government. The report will be sent to government after being received and in required the exit of fodder from the district will be stopped. Barmer district collector Shiv Prasad Nakate too accepted the grave situation. He said he got the information about the crop damage of farmers. Revenue officers and employees have been directed for Girdawari.

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