Amid the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, a total of 68,662 hectares of Jhum fields in 915 villages across Nagaland have been affected by deficient rains since December last year. It caused poor germination and wilting of standing crops. Due to delayed and erratic rains, the state is witnessing a drought-like situation after 10 years the Nagaland government urged the Government of India to mitigate the effects of deficient rains.
As per data recorded by the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) from January to May, rainfall is largely defective in Dimapur district (-66%). Rainfall is also insufficient in districts like Kiphire (-49%), Kohima (-47%), Phek (-42%), Tuensang (-41%), Zunheboto (-39%), Wokha (-36%), Peren (-35%), Longleng (-11%), and Mokokchung (-6%).
On June 16, minister for agriculture and cooperation Kaito Aye informed that Nagaland has been heavily affected by the shortfall of rains this year and the rivers are drying out.
