Patna, Aug 6 - The Bihar government is considering declaring at least 12 districts drought-hit as the state has recorded 43 percent deficit in rainfall this season.

According to officials, the lack of rainfall has badly affected sowing of paddy seeds and transplanting of paddy seedlings.

'The government will likely declare the affected districts drought-hit on August 9 or 10 after ministers submit their assessment reports,' an official in the chief minister's office told IANS.

The ministers have been asked to assess the situation in their respective districts along with district officials and to submit their reports at the earliest, the official said.

After the government admitted that drought-like situation was prevailing in 32 of 38 districts in Bihar, it set up a crisis management group headed by Chief Secretary Anup Mukharjee to suggest measures to tackle it.

Officials at the state agriculture department said districts like Gaya, Bhojpur, Kaimur, Siwan, Saran, Rohtas, Nalanda and Bhagalpur were the worst hit and would likely be declared drought-hit.