Imphal, June 27 : The Manipur Government declared the state drought-affected due to insufficient rainfall on Saturday.

The decision was taken following a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, an official spokesperson of the relief and disaster management department of Manipur said.

The state would take up several measures on a war footing to fight the drought, he said.

The government has decided to open nurseries for paddy plants in 1000 hectares at a cost of Rs. 2.7 crore.

The meteorological authority said the state received 475 mm of rainfall this year compared to 739.50 mm of rain by end June last year posing a problem for farmers. (ANI)