Mumbai, October 5 (Daily Kiran) : In Mumbai, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has sharply criticized the Maharashtra government following the India Meteorological Department’s announcement of the monsoon’s official withdrawal from most parts of the state. The party warned that Maharashtra could face a severe drought.
In an editorial published in the party’s mouthpiece, ‘Saamana,’ the Thackeray faction emphasized that the end of the monsoon without adequate rainfall has shattered the last hopes of farmers across the state. More than half of Maharashtra is now severely drought-stricken.
The editorial noted that over 20 out of 36 districts in Maharashtra have reported a significant deficit in rainfall this season. The delayed onset of the monsoon disrupted early sowing, and nearly two months without rain rendered sowing efforts futile, leading to crop failures in Marathwada, Vidarbha, and central Maharashtra.
According to the editorial, Solapur recorded the highest rainfall deficit at 58%. Other districts like Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, and both Ahmednagar and Dhule faced deficits of 51%, 49%, 48%, and 46%, respectively. Even the coastal district of Sindhudurg, typically known for its abundant rainfall, reported a 36% shortfall.
The Thackeray faction accused the state administration of insensitivity. They claimed that local officials in Solapur, a drought-affected area, showed the Guardian Minister flourishing green fields while crops in other regions had withered. This was described as a cruel joke on suffering farmers.
The crisis has been exacerbated by unusual weather patterns. Typically warm weather in October began in mid-August, with temperatures soaring to 36 degrees Celsius across the state. This persistent heat has dried up lush pastures, wells, and local water sources, leading to a severe shortage of drinking water and fodder for livestock.
The editorial also highlighted that economic distress has sparked a new wave of farmer suicides in regions like Vidarbha and Marathwada. Directly targeting political leaders, the Shiv Sena, under Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership, asserted that simply declaring a drought does not absolve the government of its responsibilities.
As the monsoon recedes, the editorial pointed out that ministers and leaders who previously visited fields for photo-ops have returned to their offices, while farmers continue to eagerly await immediate relief.
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