Goa, July 16 -- ANIL KUMAR MISHRA & MARCOS GONSALVES

Goa's paddy season is hanging in the balance after the India Meteorological De partment (IMD) ruled out heavy rainfall for at least the next fort night, raising fears of a prolonged agricultural crisis in a state al ready reeling under a 34 per cent monsoon rainfall deficit. The bleak forecast has prompt ed the Directorate of Agriculture to begin field inspections across the State, with officials assessing the impact on paddy nurseries and transplantation as the pro longed dry spell threatens cul tivation during the most crucial phase of the kharif season. "There has been a rainfall defi cit, and considering the current weather pattern, light rainfall is expected in various parts of th...