Dry spell: CM orders close monitoring

BHUBANESWAR: With drought staring at many districts in southern and western Orissa, the Government has geared up precautionary action to deal with the situation.  More than 30 blocks in eight districts have been severely affected by drought because of scanty rainfall. Though kharif crops have been damaged in some pockets of at least 15 districts, the situation in these 30 blocks is serious, according to preliminary reports submitted by the State Government to the district collectors. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday reviewed the drought situation and water scarcity in different parts of the State.