The deficient rainfall has triggered drought-like conditions across the state.

'The deficit monsoon rains have damaged both the kharif crop now and the rabi crop in winter, when the rains were more than 50 percent below normal. This is the third successive crop failure,' Rana said.

The meteorological office here said that except Una all the 12 districts have received less rains so far.

While there was 85 percent deficit rainfall in Chamba, the figure in Lahaul and Spiti is (72 percent), Sirmaur (63 percent) and Shimla (57 percent).

An initial survey by the agriculture department says cash crop production fell more than 50 percent in several districts, and in some cases, by as much as 80 percent.

Chief Secretary Asha Swaroop pegged the total loss for agriculture and horticulture at Rs.850 crore (Rs.8.5 billion) and Rs.250 crore respectively.

'The government has doled out Rs.35 crore as relief to farmers and agriculture-dependent sectors,' she added.

The government has declared the entire state drought-hit.