The Maharashtra government has finally declared drought in 14708 villages of the state. This year the performance of Southwest Monsoon in Maharashtra was very poor. In fact, all the four subdivisions received less than average rains. This led to drought in thousands of villages.
The government has also announced measures to reduce the impact of drought by providing one-third subsidy on electricity charges for agricultural pumps. It has also promised to waive off school fees for children from these villages.
Rain in Maharashtra
This Monsoon, Vidarbha was the best performing state with an overall rainfall deficiency of 11%. On the other hand, Marathwada had to endure a rainfall deficiency of 40%. This region has received deficient rainfall for the second consecutive year.
Madhya Maharashtra also remained highly rain deficient till about second half of September. The spell of rainfall in the last week of September saved the situation. The spell of rain continued till the first week of October. Accordingly, Madhya Maharashtra received 36% excess rains in the first seven days of this month. Konkan also recorded 55% excess rains.
The second week of October remained generally dry for the entire country, except for extreme southern parts. But, the slippages for Maharashtra were large. In the month of October so far, Vidarbha has recorded a rainfall deficiency of 97%, Marathwada 56% and Madhya Maharashtra 9%. Konkan also managed to record normal rains.
Image credit - India Today
