The Manipur government has declared a ‘drought-like situation’ in the state in view of the scanty rainfall that has led to crop failures in over 70 blocks of the state.
A decision was taken by the state cabinet following a high level emergency meeting chaired by chief minister N Biren Singh on Saturday.
The decision would enable the state government to seek relief assistance from the central government, statement issued from Manipur CMO said.
The state agriculture department also issued drought notification in this regard.
It is estimated that due to significant deficit in rainfall, drought has adversely affected crops across 70 blocks of the state, the statement said.
As per initial estimates, several blocks have crop failure ranging for 33 per cent to more than 50 per cent based on which they are categorised as moderate & severely affected by drought.
It is reported that biggest impact of drought due to deficit rainfall has been in valley districts, although several hill blocks are also affected in varying degrees.
As per the drought declaration certificate issued by directorate of agriculture, 31 blocks have been categorised as severely affected.
Of the affected blocks 13 are in valley districts while the remaining in hill districts.
In Imphal East district five blocks have been severely affected while in Bishnupur and Chandel one block each have been affected.
Prior to the cabinet meeting, the chief minister chaired a high-level emergency meeting with cabinet ministers, MLAs, top officials, deputy commissioners of 16 districts and representatives of agricultural institutes to discuss the situation, it said
