The districts where rainfall has been lowest include Chitrakoot (81 percent below average), Etah (84 percent below average) and Rampur (85 percent below average), officials said.

The state capital Lucknow has received lowest rainfall in two decades. Lucknow recorded 192.3 mm rainfall against the average of 357.9 mm from June 1 to July 31.

Due to scanty rainfall, farmers have not sowed nearly 50 percent of the agricultural land in Lucknow district this year.

According to the agriculture directorate, nearly six million hectares of land in the state was to be used for paddy but now only 5.2 million hectares is expected to be sown with the crop.

With scanty rains, the agriculture department expects a 20-30 percent drop in the kharif crop yield. Paddy production is expected to be 13.1 million metric tonnes against the target of 13.5 million metric tonnes and the production of coarse grain is expected to be 24.5 million tonnes against 25.4 million tonnes.