Marathwada is one sub-division of Maharashtra which shows a natural inclination towards deficient rainfall almost every year. The region lies sandwiched between Vidarbha and Madhya Maharashtra and shows significant variation each year, in terms of rainfall recorded.
When we look at the amount of rainfall received in the region in the last 10 years, it is easy to deduce that during most years, Marathwada struggles to meet the normal rainfall figure. The table below shows Marathwada’s rainfall record for last 10 years.
As one can see in the table below, in the last 10 years, the year 2014 was the most deficient in terms of actual rainfall received. Six out of ten times in the last 10 years, Marathwada recorded deficient rainfall.
Rainfall in Marathwada region in last 10 years
This year, however, June started on a good note for the country with 116% rainfall received in the month. But even then, Marathwada maintained a deficiency of 17%. July was much worse as the region recorded a deficiency of 75% which gave way to serious concerns regarding agriculture in the sub-division. So far, in the month of August, Marathwada is recording a deficiency of 25%.
But the last two days have brought marginal relief in the region. Good rainfall has been recorded over Marathwada. On August 11, Marathwada received 7.6 mm rainfall against an average of 6.6 mm. And on August 12, the region recorded 19.3 mm rainfall against a normal of 5.8 mm. The above normal rainfall in last two days has brought down this season’s deficiency for the region from 52% to 47%. Normal rainfall is expected for another 48 hours, but this may not do enough to overcome the rainfall deficiency prevailing in Marathwada.
(Featured Image Credit: newyorktimes.com)
