Maharashtra has received good showers throughout the Monsoon season, well mitigating the rainfall deficiency left over by two back-to-back droughts in 2014 and 2015. In fact, this year it is a different ball game all together.
The upper air cyclonic circulation which has been hovering over the Central India is now lying over Marathwada and neighboring areas. This weather system has been bringing good rains for the last few days. Rains have refused to relent in several districts of the Marathwada region including Aurangabad, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Osmanabad and Parbhani.
Marathwada is now reeling under unprecedented flood-like situation. Going by initial estimates, we can say that more than Rs. 500 crore worth crops have been damaged in the three districts of Latur, Beed and Osmanabad. Considering the fact these were the districts under severe grip of drought over the last few years, it’s a tragic tale all over again.
Soybean has suffered major losses in all the three districts. Cotton, tur and moong are the other crops to face damage. In Latur 4 lakh hectares of crops, among the 6 lakh hectares of crops sown, have been damaged.
In Latur, the Manjara dam had dried up completely after last year’s Monsoon. However, this lifeline of Latur is now almost overflowing. In fact, all major rivers in the district are overflowing at present.
Osmanabad district in Maharashtra has been the worst hit. All major dams and rivers are flowing above the danger mark. According to media reports, crops spread over about 3 lakh hectares have been damaged. This is disastrous as crops were initially sown over 3.5 lakh hectares of land.
Image credit - Indian Express
