Ranchi, July 29 - Jharkhand Wednesday declared seven more districts as drought hit after scanty rainfall affected paddy crop in the state.

Earlier, four of Jharkhand's 24 districts were declared drought hit.

An official spokesman said the seven districts declared drought-hit have been receiving less than normal rainfall. The districts are Dumka, Deoghar, Pakur, Saheganj, Jamtara, Godda and Giridih.

Palamau, Chatra, Latehar and Garwah districts were declared drought hit July 7.

In Jharkhand, only 20 to 22 percent paddy sowing took place due to scanty rainfall.

Jharkhand Governor K. Sankaranarayanan took stock of the drought situation on Wednesday in meeting with officials of the concerned districts.

This year monsoon arrival was delayed by two weeks in the state that badly affected agriculture.