Mumbai, September 5 (Daily Kiran) : Maharashtra is grappling with a significant drought crisis, with Shiv Sena (UBT) accusing both the central and state governments of neglect. The party’s editorial in its mouthpiece, Saamana, warns that nearly 90% of the state could face severe drought in the coming months if forecasts hold true. This situation is exacerbated by the global El Niño phenomenon, which has already led to drought conditions in over 350 districts across India, raising concerns over food and drinking water shortages.
The editorial details the harsh impact of nature on Maharashtra’s agricultural community. Out of the state’s 36 districts, 31 have seen little to no rainfall, leaving crops in jeopardy and fields parched under extreme heat. Aside from sporadic light showers, many areas have experienced prolonged dry spells lasting 30 to 45 days, severely affecting local farmers.
Despite previous warnings about potential rainfall deficits due to the El Niño effect, the editorial notes that meteorologists underestimated the severity of its impact. In 18 districts, the monsoon has failed to arrive altogether.
This year’s monsoon rains were delayed by approximately 15 days. After a dry June, heavy rainfall in July caused significant planting delays in key agricultural areas. Regions like Mumbai, Pune, Western Maharashtra, and Nashik saw some rain in July, but precipitation ceased in early August, leading to further stress on crops.
While initial rains in July provided temporary relief and boosted crop growth, the situation deteriorated as vital crops entered their critical flowering stages. As soybean pods began to form and cotton and corn crops developed, the water supply dwindled.
Farmers reliant on wells attempted to irrigate their fields with stored water from July, but as these sources ran dry, saving the standing crops became nearly impossible. The editorial emphasizes that farmers without irrigation facilities have suffered the most. Cash crops like soybean, cotton, corn, arhar (pigeon pea), and turmeric have withered across millions of hectares, while pulses like urad and moong have been completely destroyed. This year’s traditional month of Shravan, typically marked by intermittent rains, has seen many areas experience unprecedented dry spells.
In Vidarbha, over 5 million hectares and in Marathwada, 4.8 million hectares were sown this season. With crops wilting, many farmers in affected areas have begun tilling their fields to prepare for the upcoming rabi season.
However, with no rain at the start of September, concerns are mounting about the sowing of winter crops like wheat and chickpeas. The availability of fodder for livestock has also reached a critical state. The drying fields present a dilemma for farmers as they struggle to secure feed for their animals in the coming months.
In light of this situation, the Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, is urging the government to implement immediate water management plans and drought relief measures, rather than ignoring the unprecedented collapse of the rural economy.
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