11 hrs ago
Gujarat Says Rainfall Deficit Alone Cannot Trigger Drought Declaration
Some parts of Gujarat received much less rain than usual.
The state government said this alone does not prove that an area is suffering from drought.
Officials must also check crops, soil, groundwater and other conditions.
They must inspect some fields before deciding.
The government said most planned farmland had been planted.
It also said dams had water and that farmers were receiving electricity and irrigation support.
Fodder was being sold at lower prices to help livestock owners.
Congress and AAP said rain-deficient areas should be declared drought-hit so people can receive help.
The government said it would make a decision after a scientific review.
The Gujarat government said drought cannot be declared solely because of deficient or uneven rainfall.
Gujarat had received 685.53 mm of rain, or 75.43% of its seasonal average, as of September 3.
South Gujarat received above-average rainfall, while Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar and Kutch recorded sharp deficits.
The government cited sowing levels, reservoir storage, crop conditions, soil moisture, groundwater and NDVI as factors in assessment.
Congress and AAP demanded drought declarations and immediate relief for rain-deficient areas and affected rural communities.
- Who
- The Gujarat government, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the Congress party and AAP.
- What
- The government rejected declaring drought solely on the basis of rainfall deficiency and said a broader scientific assessment was required.
- Where
- In the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, concerning rain-deficient districts including parts of Saurashtra, Kutch and North Gujarat.
- When
- The government made the statement on Friday, citing conditions as of August 31 and September 3.
- Why
- Government officials said drought rules require assessment of rainfall, sowing, crop conditions, vegetation, soil moisture, groundwater and physical verification.
Drought Declaration Advocates
Gujarat Government
Whether drought should be declared now
Drought Declaration Advocates
Congress and AAP argued that rain-deficient areas should be officially declared drought-hit to ensure timely relief for farmers and rural communities.
Gujarat Government
The government said rainfall deficiency alone was insufficient and that a scientific assessment and ground verification were required.
Assessment of agricultural conditions
Drought Declaration Advocates
Congress called for assessment of affected areas and immediate intervention because of sharp rainfall deficits in parts of Saurashtra and Kutch.
Gujarat Government
The government pointed to 94.24% of normal sowing, above-normal sowing for several crops, water availability and ongoing support measures as reasons an immediate declaration was not warranted.
Timing of relief measures
Drought Declaration Advocates
Opposition parties said formal drought status was necessary to secure timely assistance.
Gujarat Government
The government said measures such as subsidised fodder, drinking and irrigation water, and additional electricity were already being provided in advance.
Key facts
- Seasonal rainfall
- Gujarat received 685.53 mm, equal to 75.43% of its seasonal average, as of September 3.
- Most affected districts
- Devbhumi Dwarka received 6.41% of average rainfall, followed by Porbandar at 18.12%, Jamnagar at 28.88% and Kutch at 29.29%.
- Sowing
- Sowing covered 80.39 lakh hectares, or 94.24% of the state's normal sown area, as of August 31.
- Reservoir storage
- The Sardar Sarovar Dam was 88.60% full, while 206 other reservoirs held 66.07% of their capacity.
- Fodder stock
- The state reported 402.54 lakh kg of fodder in stock.
- Fodder distribution
- Subsidised fodder had been distributed to 51,802 livestock owners for 131,505 animals across 572 villages.
- Power supply
- Agricultural electricity supply was increased from eight to 10 hours in 132 taluka-groups across 21 districts.
Quotes
Gujarat government officials
Officials describing the government’s position on drought relief decisions
“Indicators including rainfall, crop sowing, the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), soil moisture and groundwater levels have to be assessed under Trigger-1 and Trigger-2”
thehansindia.com
“While South Gujarat had received 103.91 per cent of its average rainfall, rainfall remained uneven in parts of Saurashtra, Kutch and North Gujarat”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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