Bhubaneswar, July 1: Deficient rainfall in 27 of 30 districts in the state prompted the government to direct the district collectors to ensure there was no drinking water crisis in the future.

Official estimates reveal that the state has reported 56 per cent less than normal rainfall during June. Only three districts — Nabarangpur, Balasore and Koraput — have received normal rainfall.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today spoke to the district collectors through videoconferencing and reviewed the measures being undertaken by the administration to meet the situation. “He instructed the collectors to pay special attention towards drinking water supply,” said an official.

It was decided to extend the time limit for providing drinking water through tankers to scarce areas up to July 15. Stress was also laid on conservation of water in the rural ponds.

The panchayati raj department was asked to prepare a plan of action for labour intensive projects under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and intensify the programmes in the drought-prone zones.

Special relief commissioner P.K. Mohapatra said the agriculture department officials were instructed to popularise long-duration crops. The government will ensure disbursement of crop loan of Rs 8,000 crore to the farmers by July 31.

Special measures will be taken to conserve enough water in the reservoirs for drinking and irrigation purposes.

The hydropower generation in the state has been badly hit due to deficient rainfall. The state government has restricted the hydropower generation to 450 megaWatt (MW) per day keeping in view low water level in six major reservoirs in the state.

Agriculture minister Pradeep Moharathy said the rainfall situation was expected to improve in the coming days. “If there is scanty rainfall, our department is ready with seeds and other inputs for short-term and alternative crops,” he said.

However, weathermen are hopeful that the deficit situation would be made up in the coming days.

“A good amount of rainfall is likely to occur this month,” said director of regional meteorology centre Sarat Chandra Sahu.